By now, members should be well on their way to completing their proposed essential services staffing levels forms in the database, as the due date for sending the proposals to the union(s) is April 14. Once the forms are completed and downloaded, please e-mail them to the designated union representative(s) below to initiate discussions over essential services staffing levels (if two contact emails are listed please send your forms to both):
Please note that CSSEA’s Advocates/Consultants will not be participating in your direct discussions with your union(s) but will be available to answer your queries.
Members must advise their CSSEA Advocate/Consultant if agreement is not reached by no later than May 16. Members must provide detailed information outlining the precise areas still in dispute. The information should include Forms A to D, notes from the negotiations, and, if applicable, care plans. Your CSSEA Advocate/Consultant will then participate in discussions with the union(s) to determine if there are ways to resolve the outstanding issues. If your CSSEA Advocate/Consultant and the union(s) cannot resolve the remaining issues, the dispute will be referred to the Labour Relations Board (LRB) for mediation and/or adjudication.
By no later than May 30, members must advise Vangie Johnson, HRLR Executive Assistant, when their Forms A to E have been signed by all parties and uploaded to the database so Vangie can send the forms to the LRB which will prepare an Order.
If your agency does not operate any essential services programs and you believe that your operations can be completely closed during a work stoppage because they are not “essential to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of British Columbia,” please only complete Form A:
- list your worksites
- for each worksite indicate they are not essential
- in the notes section state “No bargaining unit staffing is required.”
Members who do not operate any essential services programs must similarly advise Vangie Johnson by no later than May 30 when their Form A has been signed by all parties and uploaded to the database so Vangie can send the Form A to the LRB which will prepare an Order.
Scheduling Headquarters
Scheduling headquarters (or strike headquarters per the union) are not entered into the database and are not included in the Order issued by the LRB. However, the union will want an agreement with you on this matter. For guidance on scheduling headquarters please refer to pages 12 to 15 of the backgrounder, as well as your agency’s 2022 scheduling headquarters agreement. Since scheduling headquarters are not included in the Order issued by the LRB, CSSEA does not have a copy of your 2022 scheduling headquarters agreement.
We urge you to make essential services and scheduling headquarters negotiations a top priority. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact your CSSEA Advocate/Consultant.