Community Social Services: Talks break down in bargaining, strike vote begins next week | UPDATE: meeting dates

Talks broke down yesterday between the provincial government, employers and the ten unions representing BC's 15,000 community social services workers. As a result, there will be a strike vote for all unionized workers in the sector.

Outstanding issues include: wages, benefits, sick leave, reimbursable expenses and concessionary demands by the employer, including revisiting improvements gained in the last round of bargaining. 

-Our members in this sector are asking for a fair and reasonable deal," said HSA President Reid Johnson. -We are asking members to support collective bargaining demands with a strike vote," he said.

-Please attend your strike vote meeting, and vote. HSAs Board of Directors strongly urges HSAs community social services workers to vote in favour of a strike. We need your voice to be heard by the provincial government.

-Workers in this sector are among the lowest paid in the public service. These are the professionals who care for BCs most vulnerable people. Community social service workers deserve fairness and respect," he said.

In light of the breakdown in talks, the unions involved in the talks have organized strike votes at worksites around the province. Strike vote meetings will begin next week, and meeting notices will be sent by separate notice. Information regarding the telephone town halls will follow.

The schedule of information briefings and balloting information will be posted on your union website. For more information and resources regarding Community Social Services bargaining, please visit www.cssfairdeal.ca

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) is the multi-union bargaining committee for BC's unionized community social service workers. The CSSBA includes ten unions with a combined membership of about 15,000. HSA members are represented at the negotiating table by Jody Moore (parent support counsellor, Cameray Counselling Centre) and Sharon Geoghegan (labour relations officer).

The BCGEU is the largest union in the community social services sector. The bargaining association also includes HSA, CUPE, HEU, UFCW, and other unions.

The provincial government's Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA) represents 220 agencies in the sector.

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HSA's Community Social Service members are encouraged to contact the office by email at  @email if you have any questions or difficulty getting to the polls.