BCGEU campaign nets big increases for correctional officers

'The work by our members and support from the public helped us reach this deal.' - Darryl Walker

Vancouver (18 Sep. 2008) - Correctional officers and sheriffs will see a major jump in pay as a result of an agreement reached between the B.C. government and the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).

"I'm very pleased that we have been able to reach this agreement," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

"Our members in the correctional and sheriff service have been persistent in their arguments with the government that we needed a market adjustment to help recruit and retain staff. This settlement should make it easier to fill staff shortages. Our members have pointed out how staff shortages were leading to court delays and that the safety of staff was paramount," adds Walker.

"The agreement we reached shows that the work by our members and support from the public helped us reach this deal."

The settlement raises wages for most correctional officers and sheriffs by up to three grids in the collective agreement - the equivalent of a 9.9% increase. This means that a correctional officer will now make $29.58 per hour and deputy sheriffs $28.71 per hour. Entry level rates will rise by a grid at each step which will help recruit new staff.

"Our members will be pleased with this agreement," says Dean Purdy, chair of the BCGEU's correctional and sheriffs' group of workers.

"There's no doubt that this will help keep existing staff and recruit new members. As difficult as our jobs are, this will make employment in this sector more rewarding and make our members feel appreciated. I would like to thank the government, the Public Service Agency and our ministry officials for finally recognizing the need to address this problem," Purdy says.

Walker says BCGEU now looks forward to "working with the government" on some of the other issues impacting members, including severe overcrowding in provincial jails and safety in our court rooms.

The union has been campaigning for the increase for over two years, holding rallies and lobbying the government on a number of occasions. NUPGE