Bulletin
ICBC-Your benefits are earned, not rewards. Our response to ICBC’s Benefit Survey
February 29, 2024
To: All MoveUP members at ICBC
This week, ICBC initiated a survey regarding employee benefits. Normally, we don’t have a problem with the surveys they conduct because they tend to reinforce the messages that we share with them. Some of those messages include issues on the unmanageable workload and how staff are suffering as a result. However, this week’s survey on benefits took a tone that made us uncomfortable for several reasons.
First, there is no recognition in their communication that the benefits you enjoy were achieved through tough negotiations and the collective will of our members. They do not acknowledge the role that your union and your bargaining committee played, as well as our members’ collective resolve, to achieve unprecedented improvements to our benefit package as we did in our last round of negotiations. It is an oversight that minimizes the importance of our members and your efforts to create a better work environment.
Second, through their choice of words, ICBC wants their staff to view their pay, benefits, pension, time off, sick leave, and many other provisions of your collective agreement as gifts or ‘rewards’. These provisions are earned by you. They are part of your compensation for the hard work, dedication, and commitment that you put in to doing your job and providing service to British Columbians.
The benefits you have today, and the peace of mind your robust collective agreement provides, are because of your solidarity and our collective power. Make no mistake about it. You have earned everything that the collective agreement entitles you to.
We are looking forward to receiving the detailed results of their survey. It will be helpful for us when we go back to the bargaining table next year and strive for further improvements that reflect the work you do!
In solidarity,
Annette Toth, Vice-President, ICBC
Trevor Hansen, Union Representative
