BC Hydro & Powertech Bargaining Update #7 – Telephone Town Hall Bargaining Update Recap

On Thursday, March 21st, approximately 300 BC Hydro and Powertech members from across the province participated in an interactive telephone town hall meeting to discuss bargaining. The event was hosted by Senior Union Representative Cheryl Popeniuk and featured MoveUP President David Black, Vice-President of Utilities Rysa Kronebusch, and Lead Negotiator Barbara Junker.

The meeting gave members who were unable to attend an in-person meeting in the workplace a chance to have their questions answered by VP Rysa Kronebusch and Lead Negotiator Barbara Junker.

MoveUP VP Rysa Kronebusch noted the following:

• The bargaining committee consists of Rysa Kronebusch, Cheryl Popeniuk and Barbara Junker from MoveUP, along with Bruce Sarvis, Calvin Jonas, Rajesh Singh, Anderson Charles, and Raul Urrutia from the membership.
• The committee has met several times, reviewed the member survey, and identified what the top issues are.
• BC Hydro’s bargaining mandate is set by the Public Sector Employers’ Council. The council determines the maximum amount that is available to bargain. The mandate in this round is a three-year term, with a 2 per cent general wage increase each year.
• With the Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate, there is a potential to negotiate conditional and modest funding that can be used to drive tangible service improvements.
• We are always on the lookout for job stewards. If you are interested, please send an email to vp-utilities@moveuptogether.ca.

MoveUP President David Black noted the following:

• The bargaining committee and reps have been working hard looking at grievances and issues of contention the last several years in the last collective agreement, and planning and plotting out where we will be going based on the member surveys.

Lead negotiator Barbara Junker noted the following:

• The top issue identified by members is wages, as they feel they are falling behind. But, as noted, the maximum amount available to bargain has already been determined.
• At this time, 66 per cent of public sector unions have already settled under this mandate (2 per cent per year for three years).
• Key issues identified by members as needing improvement are benefits, time off, retirement provisions, and per diem amounts.
• Also identified were concerns with opportunities and promotions and how the employer deals with those. Have heard comments about promotions being awarded based on favouritism or nepotism, rather than seniority, and that the interview process is not being done fairly.
• MOU #15 (construction and field work employees) identified as a concern.
• MOU #85 (Accenture repatriation) will remain in effect and is not subject to collective agreement, unless agreed to by both parties, until March 31, 2024. This means no changes unless agreed upon by employer.

Barbara Junker then addressed questions about members’ concerns regarding MOU #15. Junker advised that we have listened to members’ feedback regarding MOU #15 and are forming proposals accordingly.

There were questions regarding contracting in and management/IBEW doing bargaining unit work. Junker advised members to notify a job steward if contractors, managers, or IBEW members are doing bargaining unit work so our union can address the issue.

Members also asked questions pertaining to parental top-up, overtime pay in respect to pensionable income, job evaluation, stand by pay, and the Attendance Support Program which BC Hydro has currently rolled out in some departments.

Junker confirmed that the bargaining committee has heard our members’ concerns and have formed our proposals accordingly.

To recap, we are meeting with BC Hydro for bargaining on April 16^th, 17^th and 18^th and will be letting you know shortly after the meeting on the 18^th what we find out about BC Hydro’s position.

Be assured that your bargaining committee will not accept any concessions at the bargaining table per MoveUP’s mandate.

In solidarity,

Rysa Kronebusch, VP Utilities
Cheryl Popeniuk, Senior Union Representative
Barbara Junker, Lead Negotiator
Anderson Charles, Bargaining Committee Member
Calvin Jonas, Bargaining Committee Member
Bruce Sarvis, Bargaining Committee Member
Rajesh Singh, Bargaining Committee Member
Raul Urrutia, Bargaining Committee Member

File Number: 19-BC Hydro & Powertech Labs-BLTN-Bargaining Update #7-March 25

Union Label: /ec-usw2009

Reply to: echilman@moveuptogether.ca