Whether you're a brand new BCGEU member or you've been a member for a while, this STEP UP! workshop will introduce you to our union and help you develop your skills and knowledge around your rights as a worker and the role the union plays in supporting workers, their families, and our communities. Through stories of courage and strength, you will gain the clarity and support you need along with some useful union tools and strategies to get started with the BCGEU. You will leave feeling more informed, confident, and ready to connect with your co-workers.

• A union-paid leave-of-absence is provided for this course.
• Travel, meals and accommodation, if required, are also provided.
• Reasonable child and/or other dependent care expenses may be reimbursed.

Local 1703 stewards are invited to attend a one-day Enhanced Steward Training on October 18, 2024. Topics for the course will include:

- Discipline grievances

- Supporting members in investigation meetings

- Dealing with difficult managers

- The grievance process: a review

A Leave of Absence (LOA) form will be provided to those who request one. LOA requests must include the number of hours required.

Lunch will be provided on the course date so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

CANCELLED

STEP UP TRAINING

DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 2024

LOCATION: Diane L. Wood Union Centre

Prince George Area Office of the BCGEU

500 Quebec Street, Prince George BC

TIME: 9:00am – 4:00pm

  STEP UP: An intro to the BCGEU for all new Stewards and new Members

 Course Goal: Introduce members to the BCGEU and the labour movement

 Learning Outcomes: On completing STEP UP! Participants will:

· Know the story of the BCGEU and why unions matter;

· Be able to build your sense of identity and solidarity as a worker and a member of the BCGEU;

· Learn how to support and champion the union at work;

· Know how to use available union tools to build worker power;

· Understand how power works in the workplace and society; and

· Discover opportunities to get more involved in the BCGEU.

 When registering online, please advise if you have any allergies or special dietary requirements. Please note: There are parking stalls at our location, however, if there is not adequate parking for everyone attending this training, receipted parking expenses will be reimbursed.

 As in the past, you will be eligible for a leave of absence. Please get approval from your supervisor prior to registering.

 If you require virtual attendance, please contact the area office.

 Please register by Friday, October 4, 2024.

The Registration for this course will be opened closer to the course date (Approx 6 weeks before training).

Together in Solidarity,

 Lindsay Decraene, Staff Representative

CANCELLED

STEWARD FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING 

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 2024

& Wednesday, October 30, 2024

LOCATION: Diane L. Wood Union Centre

Prince George Area Office of the BCGEU

500 Quebec Street, Prince George BC

TIME: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (In person only)

 Steward Fundamentals, our new introductory 2-day course, focuses on the essential skills every steward needs to know. Through interactive group activities, role-plays, and skills development, stewards are introduced to the key roles and responsibilities of a steward as advocate, educator, organizer and communicator. Stewards will leave feeling more confident and effective in their role and skilful in their interactions with members and the employer. Please register below and reserve your seat.

 Lunch will be provided. To ensure enough food is ordered,

Please RSVP no later than Friday, October 11, 2024.

The Registration for this course will be opened closer to the course date (Approx 6 weeks before training).

 When registering online, please advise if you have any allergies or special dietary requirements. Please note: There are parking stalls at our location, however, if there is not adequate parking for everyone attending this training, receipted parking expenses will be reimbursed.

 As in the past, you will be eligible for a leave of absence. Please get approval from your supervisor prior to registering.

Together in Solidarity,

 Lindsay Decraene, Staff Representative

The Area 07 Cross Component Committee will be hosting an appreciation banquet to honour and recognize your hard work on behalf of the BCGEU members in Area 07. You and one guest will be invited for an evening of food, fun, and live music provided by Moving Lines!

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024

Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM and buffet dinner at 6:00 PM following the Elder blessing

Place: Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre: 21 Lakeshore Drive W., Penticton, BC V2A 7M5

Registration Instructions and Important Information

· You must register here if you wish to attend!

· The deadline to register if you require a hotel is September 25, 2024 *available to eligible out-of-town guests only. The deadline to register if you do not require a hotel is October 23, 2024.

· Please register early as space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis!

· The BCGEU will reimburse attendees for the cost of a taxi to return home at the end of the night if you are not eligible for overnight accommodation. Please note the use of ride share programs (e.g. Uber), are not a reimbursable expense.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

COMPONENT: Community Health Services

LOCAL: 804

DATE: November 4, 2024

TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (General)

PLACE: Via Zoom (Requires RSVP to receive link)

AGENDA

1. Land acknowledgment

2. Approval of previous minutes

3. Bargaining (Proposal Form Attached – Due by Nov 4, 2024 at 5pm)

4. Staff Rep report

5. Upcoming events

6. Questions

Whether you're a brand new BCGEU member or you've been a member for a while, this STEP UP! workshop will introduce you to our union and help you develop your skills and knowledge around your rights as a worker and the role the union plays in supporting workers, their families, and our communities. Through stories of courage and strength, you will gain the clarity and support you need along with some useful union tools and strategies to get started with the BCGEU. You will leave feeling more informed, confident, and ready to connect with your co-workers.

• A union-paid leave-of-absence is provided for this course.
• Travel, meals and accommodation, if required, are also provided.
• Reasonable child and/or other dependent care expenses may be reimbursed.

You're invited to a special member to member event. Mingle with co-workers new and old from near and far. Enjoy some delicious appetizers and try your hand at 10-pin bowling. There's no fee to attend but space is limited. Don't delay. Sign up today for an evening of fun and games. Please leave your kids at home or arrange for a sitter. We'll pay for the childcare.

RSVP is required to attend.

BCGEU AREA 05 ACTIVIST APPRECIATION 2024

As a "thank you" for your service to the membership of our Union, you and one guest, are cordially invited to attend our 2024 Activist Appreciation Masquerade Event. We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy a festive evening with your fellow activists, special guests, and Area Office staff.

WHEN: Saturday – November 16, 2024

5:00 p.m. – Cocktails (Cash Bar)

6:00 p.m. – Honored Guest Speaker

6:30 p.m. – Buffet Dinner

Door Prizes - DJ - Trivia – Spirit of Commitment Award

WHERE: Prestige Harbourfront Resort

251 Harbourfront Dr, Salmon Arm, BC

THEME: Masquerade

Costs associated with attending this Appreciation Event can be claimed in accordance with the amounts and eligible expenses indicated on the BCGEU's Expense Claim Form. Such expense claims should be forwarded to the Kamloops BCGEU Office for approval and processing for reimbursement.

If you will require a leave of absence from work in order to attend this event, you should obtain approval from your supervisor as soon as possible, while noting that the Union will provide you with the necessary paperwork for a Union-paid leave after the registration deadline. All those eligible, requiring accommodation, will have rooms booked/prepaid for them at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort.

Registration is now open until October 14, 2024.

Please register early as space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis!

BCGEU will reimburse attendees for the cost of a taxi to return home at the end of the night if you are not eligible for overnight accommodation. Please note the use of ride share programs (e.g. Uber), are not a reimbursable expense.

We sincerely hope you will be able to join us on November 16, 2024, and look forward to seeing you then.

If you cannot attend, after having registered, please be sure to cancel your RSVP.

If you need assistance with this, please contact the Area Office. Also, please let the Area Office know so that catering and other arrangements can be adjusted.

In solidarity

 Area 05 Cross-Component Committee

The Area 03 Cross Component Committee is hosting our annual appreciation event to honour and recognize the volunteer work of our local executive members, stewards, OHS representatives and other union activists. On behalf of all 29,000 BCGEU members in the Lower Mainland (Area 03) – thank you! You truly are the backbone of our union. 

Our Activist Appreciation Event is a fun and celebratory social event for BCGEU activists. Come and celebrate with us – 80's style! You and one guest are cordially invited to attend: 

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024 

PLACE: Italian Cultural Centre of Vancouver

3075 Slocan St, Vancouver, BC, V5M 3E4 

TIME: Doors open at 6:00pm

Dinner at 6:30pm

Entertainment & dancing to follow

Cocktails available via cash bar

  DRESS: 80's themed attire encouraged! 

Please RSVP here 

· This event will sell out quickly, usually in a matter of hours as space is limited to 500 activists. The RSVP link will be updated when the event sells out. To avoid disappointment, please register as soon as you are able. 

· The deadline to register for this event is Friday, October 18 @ 5:00 PM. 

· A deposit of $25 will be required via credit card to secure each seat for the event ($50 for member & guest). Payment is due when you RSVP. 

· The deposit will be refunded to your credit card after the event. No refunds will be given if you do not attend and/or do not check in with the registration desk on the evening of the event. 

· If you are travelling from an outlying area and require a hotel room, please indicate it in the notes section of the RSVP form (see below for details).

 · If you are facing financial hardship to pay the deposit or have an enquiry, please contact [email protected] or 604-215-1499 for assistance. 

Event logistics 

· The BCGEU Code of Conduct is in effect at all Cross Component Events. Any participant engaging in unacceptable behaviour may be asked to leave and will not be invited to future events. 

· NO MINORS. THIS IS A 19+ EVENT. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED ON THE PREMISES

 · If you are driving, there is plenty of free parking at the venue.

 · If you are taking a taxi:

- Taxi to the venue can be expensed using the online expense claim form only and will require a receipt.

- Taxi vouchers for the trip home will be available at the venue.

- Please note that ride share operators (Uber, Lyft etc.) are not an allowable expense under the union's financial policy.

 · If you are traveling from outlying areas (e.g. Sea to Sky, Sunshine Coast) to attend this event, a limited number of hotel rooms are available for Saturday night at no cost to you.

- Please indicate your need for a hotel room when you RSVP for the event under "Notes".

- The deadline for hotel room bookings is October 17 and room requests received after this date will not be accommodated.

- For further details, contact [email protected]

· If you require childcare reimbursement for this event, please contact [email protected] A receipt will be required from your childcare provider to be expensed using the online claim form only. 

· Once again you must pre-register online for this event to confirm your seat(s) and this event sells out quickly. 

The Area 03 Cross Component Committee looks forward to welcoming you to our 80's themed Activist Appreciation Event on November 16! 

If you cannot attend, after having registered, please be sure to cancel your RSVP.