NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2011FIN0073-001315 Oct. 17, 2011

Ministry of Finance Ministry of Social Development Ministry of Children and Family Development

 

Community social services workers ratify agreement

 

VICTORIA – Members of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association have ratified the agreement reached with the Community Social Services Employers’ Association under the government’s 2010 mandate, announced Finance Minister Kevin Falcon.

 

This agreement covers approximately 14,000 employees, working for more than 200 contracted agencies, who deliver services to British Columbia’s most vulnerable citizens.

 

Government announced its intention to control spending on wages for public sector agreements that expired in 2010 and 2011 through a net-zero cost mandate for collective bargaining. To protect jobs and preserve services essential to British Columbians, government does not have funding for wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.

 

 

Quotes:

 

Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon –

 

“We made a commitment to protect priority services through these challenging economic times. Reaching this agreement within the net-zero mandate helps ensure these important services continue at an affordable cost to taxpayers.”

 

Minister of Social Development Stephanie Cadieux –

 

“The community social services sector is made up of hard-working men and women who provide incredible support and assistance to individuals. I know that reaching this agreement took significant efforts on both sides, and I want to commend the parties for ensuring the support continues.”

 

Minister of Children and Family Development Mary McNeil –

 

“This agreement supports the essential services needed for children, youth and families in this province. The people working to provide community social services have shown their continued commitment to the clients they serve by ratifying this agreement.”

 

 

Quick Facts:

 

• B.C.’s public sector has approximately 307,000 unionized workers, who provide our province with vital services.
• To date, about two-thirds of those employees have successfully re-negotiated agreements under the current net-zero mandate.

 

 

Learn More:

 

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

 

 

Contact:

Jamie Edwardson Communications Manager Ministry of Finance 250 356-9872

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect