BURNABY—Community social services workers are passionate about the people they support and the community-based services they provide. That’s why their bargaining association is asking all members in the sector to wear the colour red to work on Monday (February 27), as the unions representing B.C.’s 15,000 community social services workers return to the table to begin the next round of contract negotiations.
“We put our hearts into the work we do, and we’ve gone through a lot of blood, sweat and tears trying to provide these services under this current government—that’s why we’re asking all our members to wear red on Monday,” said Michael Lanier, president of CUPE 1936 and a bargaining association member.
“This government has choices on how to spend, and it has chosen not to make community social services a priority. So we’re sending a message by wearing red: these services are a priority for communities throughout B.C.”
Having just last fall completed 26 months of bargaining for the current contract, CUPE members in the community social services sector expect to see real gains this time as the parties return to the table to go through the process all over again.
“In this round of bargaining, the BC Liberal Government must negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement,” said CUPE’s community social services coordinator Cheryl Colborne. “There must be no concessions, and there must be improvements to wages and allowances, health and welfare benefits (including sick leave), job security, and general working terms and conditions.”
