Bulletin
BCGEU – Vacation Update
April 15, 2020
To: All MoveUP Members at BCGEU
On April 14, 2020, your Union Joint Labour Management Committee held a meeting to discuss vacation as it applies under the Collective Agreement.
Your Committee wanted to request an extension of the vacation year into next year. We also wanted to discuss the vacation bonus and whether the Employer would accept late requests for vacation bonus payouts.
Your Employer was not willing to extend the vacation year and reiterated that the collective agreement will be applied as it is in every year. Your Committee inquired about those members who had to cancel their plans at the beginning of the COVID 19 travel protocols. Again, the Employer indicated that carry over would be as per the Collective agreement.
The Employer is expecting a very busy year next year as many events such as the Convention had to be cancelled this year and will be re-scheduled for next year. They also indicated it is a busy year for major bargaining next year. In their view extending vacation year would only exacerbate the issues around operational requirements. Cancellations of vacation going forward will be on a case by case basis. Decisions will be made by the coordinators and Senior Departmental Clerks; they will have to make a significant case to their directors in order to cancel any approved vacations.
Your Union is disappointed with this decision; however, we do understand the need for employees to take time away from work. All vacations that were approved during prime-time vacation period, June 1 to September Labour Day weekend will be honored. We asked about increasing allotted time during the months June to September Labour Day weekend and those will be considered based on operational requirements and the Collective Agreement.
Your Union and our Labour Management Committee encourage all of you to take the time you have scheduled off and get the break you are entitled to. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Kelly Quinn at kquinn@moveuptogether.ca or by cellphone at 604-803-0205.
In Solidarity,
Kelly Quinn
Union Representative
Amelia Peterson JLMM Member
Gaganpreet Gill JLMM Member