NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010FIN0052-001171 Sept. 29, 2010

Ministry of Finance Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

 

OIL AND GAS COMMISSION REACHES AGREEMENT WITH PEA

 

VICTORIA – The BC Oil and Gas Commission and the Professional Employees’ Association have reached a tentative agreement under the government’s 2010 mandate, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

 

“I’m pleased to hear that negotiators have reached a tentative agreement under the government’s negotiating framework,” said Hansen. “I want to thank all the parties for their commitment in working together. We are continuing to make progress in negotiating agreements that would have expired this year.”

 

Over 1,200 PEA members work for the provincial government in numerous ministries, agencies and crown corporations across British Columbia. Government Licensed Professionals at the Oil and Gas Commission include engineers and geologists.

 

“This is good news, and I want to personally congratulate everyone involved for making this agreement happen,” said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Bill Bennett. “The BC Oil and Gas Commission plays a key role as the independent regulatory agency for our vibrant natural gas and petroleum sector, and this agreement will support the work they do for the benefit of all British Columbians.”

 

Government has already announced its intention to control spending on wages during this round of bargaining. To protect jobs and preserve vital services British Columbians depend on, government does not have any funding for new wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.

 

“A lot of work went into this round of bargaining, but both the commission and union worked hard to come together to achieve this tentative agreement,” said Alex Ferguson, commissioner and CEO of the BC Oil and Gas Commission. “Our staff are integral to the ongoing success of the work of the commission.”

 

There are approximately 306,000 unionized workers in occupations throughout B.C.’s public sector, the great majority of which have agreements that expire between March 31, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010. Just over half of B.C.’s public sector employees have now renegotiated agreements that were set to expire in 2010, including major agreements in the health sector and the public service.

 

 

Updated bargaining information is available at: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/psec/bargaining2010/

 

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Media Contact:

Sarah Harrison Communications Director Ministry of Finance 250 356-2821

 

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