"The quality of care and support we are able to provide is directly impacted by the workers' job security and working conditions," says James Cavalluzzo, CSSBA chair.
Vancouver (27 Oct. 2011) - British Columbia's frontline community-based social service workers have approved their new collective agreements.
"This agreement offers important improvements for workers who support children, women, adults with developmental disabilities, and other vulnerable members in our communities," says James Cavalluzzo, chair of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA). "The quality of care and support we are able to provide is directly impacted by the workers' job security and working conditions," says Cavalluzzo.
The agreement improves job security and fair work practices for community-based social service workers, such as bumping, job selection language and bullying.
In addition, the government has approved a $600,000 retraining grant for workers in the sector, who face constant upheaval from group home closures, cutbacks in agencies that serve women in crisis, people with disabilities, and children with special needs. The new agreement was ratified effective Oct. 14, 2011 and runs until March 31, 2012.
Bargaining demands were backed up by an 82% strike mandate from the 15,000 unionized workers in May.
The CSSBA includes nine unions representing about 15,000 workers employed by 220 agencies across the province.
The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is the lead union in the sector with over 10,000 members. CUPE, HEU, HSABC/NUPGE are the next largest followed by USW, UFCW, CSWU, CLAC and BCNU.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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