Professionals Making A Difference
Representatives of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Law Society Lawyers Chapter of the PEA met on three days in Vancouver to begin negotiations to renew a collective agreement. The Law Society is represented by Adam Whitcombe, CIO; Donna Embree, HR Manager, and Gary Moser who has been contracted to be the Law Society’s spokesperson.
The LSL Chapter Bargaining Committee met with members during the evening of June 9 and at a lunchtime meeting on September 17 to brief members on the results of a bargaining survey and preparations for bargaining.
As discussed at the September 17 meeting, the Bargaining Committee has approached negotiations on a thematic basis, identifying six conceptual areas for changes. These are: Professional Rights and Responsibilities; Health and Welfare; Compensation Model; Flexibility and Hours of Work; Economic Security; and Administrative. The Bargaining Committee identified that it was prepared to approach these six conceptual areas through a variety of specific proposals. Full details of the discussion documents that the Bargaining Committee presented to the Law Society are available on the LSL members’ area of the PEA website at www.pea.org.
The Law Society presented seven proposals addressing the process for filling vacancies; job security; work schedules; employment status of members receiving LTD benefits; and salaries upon transfer or hiring as well as a proposal for a longer term than we suggested and wages.
There appears to be one fundamental difference in how the Parties are approaching this bargaining. We see negotiations as a progressive process; that is it is an opportunity to improve or enhance the work experience of members, anticipate areas of possible difficulty and establish frameworks for dealing with those issues. The Law Society appears to approach bargaining with a belief that the Union must “prove” problems before the Law Society will consider changes. We are hopeful that, as we continue to take a collaborative approach to negotiations, the Parties will be able to work toward a shared goal of making changes that will result in the Law Society becoming a preferred employer of superior legal talent in BC.
C. Wiseman, Bargaining Committee Chairperson
J. Corbett, Bargaining Committee Member
J. Nalleweg, Bargaining Committee Member
J. Olsen, Member, Bargaining Committee
E. Gorrie, Labour Relations Officer
