Professionals Making A Difference
Catch up on the latest PEA News.
Less than a year after introducing social media to members, the Professional Employees Association's innovative communications work is recognized by the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) when the Association is awarded in the best cyberunion category at the CALM Awards in Saskatoon. The award was given to the PEA for an intricate and forward thinking social media presence on sites like YouTube, Facebook, Wordpress, and Twitter.
Seventy-four delegates attend the PEA's Eighth Biennial Convention in Victoria. Mike Jobke is confirmed as the PEA's President for a two-year term.
The PEA spearheads the umbrella campaign group Access To Justice which hosts the town hall forum Renewing Our Commitment to Legal Aid. The night features the premiere of the acclaimed PEA-produced video Justice for All? The event is meant to create an open dialogue with BC justice stakeholders. Over 200 individuals attend, including the Executive Director and Board Chair of the Legal Services Society of BC.
Mike Jobke, RPF, a Forester in Vernon, is elected by the Executive to replace long-time President Kathy Danchuk. Kathy served a total of 13 non-consecutive years as PEA President. Mike is the 14th President in the PEA's history.
The Legal Services Society announces another round of deep cuts to services and staffing. As a result, half of PEA members are laid off.
The Association Executive approves a plan to overhaul external communications. The plan includes a re-designed membership package, a large social media presence, the PEA blog, several advertising campaigns, and a series of promotional videos.
After over a year of limited progress in negotiations, the PEA begins mediation through the Labour Relations Board with St Margaret's School.
Over 90 members and staff attend the second Education Conference over in Kelowna. Participants work on developing methods to enhance member participation in PEA activities.
Lawyers at the Law Society of B.C. established a Joint Labour Management Committee, as mandated under the collective agreement.
The GLP Executive met with Local Representatives to initiate the presentation of its Strategic Plan to the membership across the Province.
In separate sets of negotiations, the CHSS and HSP Chapters, through their bargaining associations with other unions, negotiate collective agreement changes based on the June 2007 Supreme Court of Canada overturning aspects of Bill 29.
Law Society Lawyers Chapter members ratify an enhanced first collective agreement as recommended by the Bargaining Committee.
Delegates to the GLP Chapter Annual General Meeting endorsed the GLP Strategic Plan developed by the outgoing executive and passed resolutions to initiate a roll-out process to seek membership endorsement of the Plan.
In a 34-1 vote, members of the Law Society Lawyers Chapter reject a proposed collective agreement that was not recommended by the Bargaining Committee.
Delegates to the Association's Seventh Convention elect President Kathryn Danchuk to a further two-year term and vote to explore limits to Association investments in companies engaged in war profiteering, human rights abuses or unfair labour practices, and with excessive carbon emissions.
Negotiators for the PEA and the Oil and Gas Commission reach a tentative agreement for a first collective agreement.
Lawyers at the Law Society of B.C. vote to strike to achieve a collective agreement following six months of collective bargaining. The parties subsequently enter mediation at the B.C. Labour Relations Board.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board certifies the PEA as the bargaining agent for professionals at the Oil & Gas Commission following its devolution from the provincial government. PEA members at the Commission remain members of the Government Licensed Professionals Chapter and make up the Association's eleventh bargaining unit.
The PEA and the Prince George School District reach agreement for a renewal collective agreement with the assistance of a mediator.
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that the BC Government violated constitutional rights of unions when it enacted Bill 29 in 2002. The PEA continues to work with other unions in bargaining associations to protect union rights for members in the CHSS and HSP Chapters.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board grants the PEA's tenth certification, as bargaining agent for lawyers employed by the Law Society of B.C.
65 members attend the PEA's first Education Conference over two days in Victoria.
Negotiators for the PEA and the University of Victoria reach a settlement for renewal of our collective agreement for a four-year term.
After two days of negotiations, the PEA and Themis Program Management Ltd. reach a tentative settlement for a four- year collective agreement for Family Maintenance Enforcement Program Lawyers.
Armed with a 97% strike vote, the PEA enters into mediation with the Legal Services Society and reaches a tentative settlement for a twelfth collective agreement.
The Community Health Services & Support Bargaining Association reaches a tentative agreement with the Health Employers Association of B.C. for a four-year deal covering 15,000 employees, including 150 PEA members.
The PEA and the Government of the Province of B.C. reach a tentative settlement for a thirteenth Master Agreement with a four-year term.
Negotiators for the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association and the Health Employers Association of B.C. reach a tentative agreement for a four-year collective agreement covering nearly 14,000 health professionals, including 140 PEA members. The B.C. Labour Relations Board subsequently grants an application to change the name of the bargaining association to Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association.
Representatives of the PEA and the Prince George School District #57 agree to renew the collective agreement for a two-year term, expiring on June 30, 2006.
B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor announces a new negotiating framework for public sector collective bargaining, which includes up to $1 billion in incentive funds for agreements concluded prior to March 31, 2006.
The PEA and the Okanagan Regional Library reach agreement on terms for renewal of our collective agreement for a two-year term.
Delegates attending the Association's Sixth Annual Convention in Richmond vote to move the convention to a biennial event and to establish a new PEA conference.
PEA and Themis Program Limited, the operator of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, reach agreement on implementation of the Community Social Services Collective Agreement.
The PEA establishes a new bursary program for members in financial need who are pursuing post-secondary education on a part-time basis.
Representatives of the PEA and the University of Victoria sign a two-year renewal of their collective agreement. Despite government wage controls, the settlement includes 4% of payroll to implement a new gender neutral job evaluation system.
Negotiators for the PEA and St. Margaret's School sign their second collective agreement providing wage increases, a reduction in teacher workload and improved time off provisions for support staff.
Following a PEA public relations campaign, the B.C. Government abandons a proposed amendment to the Public Service Labour Relations Act that would have forced Government Licensed Professionals into the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union.
The Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association reaches an agreement with health employers to extend the existing collective agreement by two years, with no concessions and modest improvements. The contract was negotiated in the face of attacks by the B.C. Liberal government on other health care providers, including PEA members in community health.
62 delegates meet in Victoria for the Fifth Annual Convention.
The B.C. Liberal government completes its three year program of government downsizing, resulting in a one-third reduction in the size of the provincial public service.
Negotiators for the PEA and the Province of B.C. reach an agreement to extend the twelfth Master Agreement with employment security protection.
The Community Health Support Services Chapter ratifies a collective agreement that results in a 4 per cent wage cut, in the face of possiblelegislation imposing even deeper contract concessions. Only a few weeks later, that fear is confirmed when the B.C. Liberal government legislates concessions cutting compensation in the Facilities subsector by 15%. .
The PEA holds its Fourth Annual Convention in Victoria, with 64 delegates in attendance.
The B.C. Liberal government passes the Community Services Labour Relations Act, denying PEA members in the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program Chapter the opportunity to negotiate a collective agreement with their employer. Sixteen lawyers are forced into a 16,000 member bargaining association that represented no other lawyers.
Doug Hensby, the Association's third Executive Director retires after 15 years with the PEA. Senior Staff Officer Jodi Jensen takes over as Executive Director.
The PEA reaches a settlement for a renewed collective agreement with representatives of the Okanagan Regional Library.
The PEA and St. Margaret's School conclude an agreement that amends the collective agreement to include a Letter of Understanding providing employment conditions for newly certified kitchen and laundry staff.
66 delegates attend the PEA's Third Annual Convention in Victoria.
PEA members make up part of a crowd of thousands in Vancouver who gather to demonstrate their opposition to the B.C. Government's actions threatening jobs, health care, education and community, and public services.
The PEA's certification at St. Margaret's School is varied a second time by the B.C. Labour Relations Board to include the school's kitchen and laundry staff.
Negotiators for the PEA and the Prince George School District #57 reach an agreement for renewal of their collective agreement.
The PEA joins other health sector unions in launching a court challenge to Bill 29 on the grounds that the legislation violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for health care workers in B.C.
More than 20,000 people demonstrate in Victoria against cuts to public programs and services, one of the biggest protests ever held on the lawns of the B.C. Legislature.
The B.C. Government appoints Jane Morely, Q.C. as Trustee of Legal Services Society after the organization's Board of Directors twice refuses to implement cuts of nearly 40% to their budget. The Trustee implements the budget reduction, which results in the closure of 60 legal-aid offices and a reduction in the number of staff lawyers from 75 to 16.8. The PEA's court challenge to the dismantling of legal aid services is ultimately unsuccessful, but the union's media campaign draws massive public support for legal-aid services.
The B.C. Legislature approves Bill 29, the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act, stripping legally negotiated provisions from collective agreements covering tens of thousands of workers in the health and community social services sectors. PEA paramedical professionals and community health support workers are among those affected.
The B.C. Government announces its intention to eliminate 11,700 public service jobs and $1.9 billion from its budget over three years. Close to 300 PEA members — both Government Licensed Professionals and Legal Services Society Lawyers — are directly affected in the first wave of downsizing. The PEA launches the first of two special websites as part of a public relations campaign.
PEA members vote by a narrow margin to accept the final offer tabled by Themis Program Management, operator of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, thereby ratifying their fifth collective agreement.
Kathryn Danchuk, Forester, is elected President upon the resignation of Tom Volkers, and becomes the first President elected to non-consecutive terms.
After more than four months of negotiations, the PEA and the University of Victoria reach a settlement for a third collective agreement.
The B.C. Legislature passes Bill 15, The Health Care Services Collective Agreements Act, ending disputes in the health sector by imposing collective agreements on nurses and paramedical professionals. The legislated settlement affects 100 PEA paramedical professionals.
The PEA and St. Margaret's School settle their first collective agreement after three months at the bargaining table.
After three weeks of rotating walkouts by healthcare professionals across the province, the B.C Government legislates a 60-day cooling-off period. The Health Care Services Continuation Act prevents PEA paramedical professionals and other health care workers from exercising their strike mandate.
After giving their bargaining team a 97% mandate, PEA members employed by the Legal Services Society manage with a mediator's assistance to settle their eleventh collective agreement with their employer.
The PEA holds its Second Annual Convention in Victoria, with 68 delegates in attendance.
After a positive strike vote in the community health sub-sector, a renewed collective agreement is reached between the multi-union bargaining association and the Health Employers Association of B.C. The deal covers more than 14,000 workers, including 150 PEA members.
PEA's certification for St. Margaret's School is varied by The B.C. Labour Relations Board to include non-tutorial staff.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board certifies the PEA as bargaining agent for 50 teachers employed by St. Margaret's School in Victoria.
Sixty-four delegates attend the PEA's First Annual Convention, held over two days in Richmond. Tom Volkers is re-elected PEA President, making him the first President to be elected by delegates to convention.
PEA members vote 81 per cent in favour of constitutional changes designed to increase participation in the union's decision-making processes. The new PEA Constitution and By-laws have the effect of replacing the Annual General Meeting with a delegated convention and altering the structure of the Association Executive.
Twenty representatives from PEA chapters and the PEA Executive participate in a Structure Conference to discuss changes to the Association's governance structure. On May 4, the conference unanimously endorses a package of constitutional amendments that would replace the Annual General Meeting with a delegated convention.
Alan MacLeod, the Association's second Executive Director retires after 23 years with the PEA. Senior Staff Officer Doug Hensby takes over as Executive Director.
PEA members participate in their first ever strike action when mediated talks for a new paramedical professional collective agreement break down. A special mediator appointed by the Minister of Labour releases his report recommending terms of settlement to end the dispute on January 26. The deal results in significant concessions for PEA paramedical professionals employed by regional health boards and community health service societies.
Tom Volkers, Forester, is elected the PEA's thirteenth President.
The multi-union community health services and support bargaining association reaches a tentative settlement with the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC). The deal covers more than 14,000 workers, including 150 PEA members at Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service.
The B.C. Legislature passes Bill 50, an amendment to the Public Service Labour Relations Act, limiting the GLP unit to those professions that were subject to licensing as of July 1, 1998. As a result, any government-employed professionals who are subject to new licensing in future will remain in the BCGEU.
PEA members vote 94 per cent in favour of constitutional changes designed to open up the Executive election process and promote better participation. The changes, recommended by an Electoral Review Committee established by a resolution passed at the last Annual General Meeting, include elimination of the old “no-plumping” rule that required members to vote for exactly nine candidates. The new rules require that the Executive comprise members from at least three bargaining units.
Negotiations get underway for a new collective agreement for 10,000 health-sector paramedical professionals. The PEA joins five other unions in the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association on behalf of nearly a hundred psychologists, physiotherapists and others transferred from the Ministry of Health to new regional and community health employers.
The PEA and nine other unions commence bargaining for a new contract on behalf of 14,000 health-sector services and support workers. The PEA's constituency is 150 staff employed with the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service.
The B.C. Legislature approves Bill 28, the Health Authorities Amendment Act, restoring the PEA's right to represent employees of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service. After two years in the Health Sciences Association paramedical professionals vote to remain with HSA, while support and services staff opt to return to PEA. On November 7 the PEA is again certified to represent GVMHS employees.
PEA and the University of Victoria settle their first collective agreement after nine months of bargaining, and only 36 hours before PEA members were to have participated in a strike vote.
Only a week after negotiations began, the Association settles its first collective agreement with Themis Program Management, operator of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program.
The PEA gets its second certification in as many months, as the Labour Relations Board grants us the authority to represent 15 lawyers working in the provincial Family Maintenance Enforcement Program.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board certifies the PEA as bargaining agent for 400 academic and administrative professionals employed by the University of Victoria. The UVic group is the Association's second-largest bargaining unit.
The Health Sector Labour Relations Regulation is passed, depriving PEA and several other unions of representation rights in the B.C. health sector. As a result, PEA certification for employees of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society is handed over to two surviving unions, the Health Sciences Association and the Hospital Employees Union.
As a result of amalgamation of the George Pearson Centre with another hospital operated by the Western Rehabilitation Society, an agreement between PEA and the Health Sciences Association results in the PEA's 12 member bargaining unit becoming part of a larger unit represented by HSA.
Kathryn Danchuk, Forester, is elected twelfth President of the PEA.
The union establishes a scholarship for PEA members, spouses, and children.
After taking a strike vote PEA members employed by the Legal Services Society manage with a mediator's help to settle their sixth collective agreement with their employer.
The PEA concludes a pay equity agreement with the B.C. Government providing salary parity for working-level Physiotherapists and Pharmacists with working-level employees in the Licensed Science Officer classifications.
A long-awaited arbitration decision favours the PEA: the arbitrator rules that 150 contractor psychologists working in the Ministry of Health are in fact employees within the PEA bargaining unit.
Rob Gordon, Range Agrologist, is appointed eleventh PEA President after Carolyn McCool resigns to accept an appointment with a non-PEA employer.
Carolyn McCool, a Lawyer with the Legal Services Society, is elected tenth PEA President. She is the first person from outside of the GLP unit to be elected President.
Government professionals vote 85% in favour of striking to support demands for a new collective agreement. Association negotiators soon settle a new master agreement, the PEA's seventh, for Government Licensed Professionals, thereby avoiding a strike.
Geoff Holter, the Association's first and only Executive Director resigns and is replaced by Senior Staff Officer Alan MacLeod.
PEA negotiators settle a first agreement for librarian members of the Okanagan Regional Library.
As a result of proclamation of Bill 20, the Teaching Profession Act, over 40 government-employed teachers acquire professional status and are moved from the BCGEU into the PEA's government licensed professional bargaining unit.
The PEA is certified to represent professional librarians of the Okanagan Regional Library Board, the Association's sixth bargaining unit.
The PEA Executive votes to endorse and join the B.C. Federation of Labour boycott of Bill 19.
Dr. Judith Adelman, Registered Psychologist, is elected ninth President of the PEA.
Lawyer members of the Legal Services bargaining unit vote eighty-six per cent in favour of striking to support demands for a new collective agreement. Soon after, lawyers reach agreement on their third new contract thus averting a strike with the Legal Services Society.
The B.C. Government introduces Bill 19, Industrial Relations Reform Act, which removes or weakens a range of collective bargaining rights.
Mike Wyeth is re-elected to his fifth term as PEA President.
The PEA signs its first collective agreement for Pearson Hospital members.
Cedar Lodge closes its doors due to a cessation of Government funding. As a result PEA members are permanently laid off and the Association loses a bargaining unit for the first time.
The Association concludes a first agreement for members of the Prince George School District.
The PEA and the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society sign a first agreement for members of the GVMHSS Chapter following a tentative settlement concluded at the bargaining table.
The Labour Relations Board grants the PEA its sixth certification for licensed professional employees of Pearson Hospital in Vancouver. Pearson Hospital had been a B.C. public service institution, but was "privatized" by the B.C. Government.
The Association is certified for its fifth bargaining unit, the professional employee group employed by the Prince George School District.
Operation Solidarity and the B.C. Government settle their differences; escalating strikes end; the Government withdraws and modifies some of its controversial legislation.
The first collective agreement is concluded for members of the Cedar Lodge bargaining unit.
The Association is certified for its fourth bargaining unit, employees of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society, an agency addressing mental health needs in the Vancouver area.
The B.C. Government introduces legislation removing public service bargaining rights. The Association joins an umbrella organization opposing the legislation, "Operation Solidarity."
The Association is certified to bargain for employees of the Cedar Lodge Centre in Cobble Hill, a residential treatment centre for learning-disabled children. It is the Association's third bargaining unit.
Michael Wyeth, Forester, is elected eighth President of the Association.
The membership approves constitutional initiatives increasing the Executive from seven to nine members and facilitating organization of new bargaining units.
David Gilbert is re-elected President.
The first collective agreement for the Legal Services bargaining unit is signed, following a settlement concluded at the bargaining table.
David Gilbert, Forester, becomes the seventh President as a result of the promotion out of the bargaining unit of Al Carver.
The Association's second Public Service strike vote produces an 88% strike mandate. Soon after, the fourth Public Service Master Agreement is signed in Victoria, at the bargaining table, the first master agreement concluded without the assistance of a provincial mediator.
The Association is certified to bargain for Legal Services Society lawyers throughout British Columbia, the Professional Employees Association's second bargaining unit.
Al Carver is re-elected President, the first President to be re-elected for a second term.
The membership approves constitutional amendments enabling organization of professional bargaining units outside the provincial Public Service. The British Columbia Government Professional Employees Association becomes, simply, the Professional Employees Association.
Al Carver, Accountant, is elected sixth Association President.
95% of voting members in the public service bargaining unit approve the Association's first strike mandate. Shortly thereafter, the third Public Service Master Agreement is signed, again following a mediated settlement. A strike is therefore avoided.
Gary Sutherland, Forester, succeeds as fifth Association President.
As a result of the proclamation of the British Columbia Psychologists Act the bargaining unit is increased by the addition of some seventy Registered Psychologists.
Gerry Duffield, Engineer, is elected fourth President.
David Armit, Forester, is elected third President.
The Association argues its first member grievance before an arbitrator and wins, in Victoria.
The first Master Agreement is signed in Victoria following a settlement reached in mediation.
Ron Waterfield, Architect, is elected second Association President.
The Association is certified by the British Columbia Labour Relations Board to represent the licensed professional bargaining unit.
The British Columbia Government Professional Employees Association is founded at the Empress Hotel, Victoria, following an organizing drive which resulted in sixty per cent of the eligible professionals signed into membership. Derek Parkes, a Department of Highways Engineer, is elected first President.
Bill 75, Public Service Labour Relations Act, establishing a licensed professional bargaining unit, receives third reading in the British Columbia Legislature.
The Higgins Commission on Public Service Employer-Employee relations proposes separate bargaining unit status for licensed professionals, based on recommendations from Public Service Engineers, Foresters and others.
