Bulletin
Picket lines will be up at Guildford Corporate Centre (GCC) starting on Tuesday, September 2
September 1, 2025
To: MoveUP Members at ICBC GCC
Yesterday, we sent you a bulletin concerning BCGEU job action at GCC. As you know, the members of BCGEU and PEA are fighting for a fair collective agreement that includes wage improvements that fairly reflect the value of what public sector workers bring to our communities. Their fight will have a very real impact on our bargaining with ICBC as their deal will impact on what happens for your next collective agreement.
We have been informed that the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the Professional Employees Association (PEA) will begin their strike on Tuesday, September 2 and that the Guildford Corporate Centre (GCC) will be one of the sites behind a picket line.
We have been notified that the strike will start at 7 a.m. and that the picket line will be up indefinitely until further notice. Here is important information on how to proceed.
1.IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO WORK ON-SITE AT GCC (INCLUDING THE GUILDFORD DLO) TOMORROW, DO NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE. Seek out a MoveUP representative or your job steward at the picket line or proceed to the Chevron gas station at 10483 152 St. You will see MoveUP branded tents and a MoveUP branded trailer for quick identification. Your picket captains will assist you with sign–in and provide the latest update.
DO NOT PARK AT THE SHERATON VANCOUVER GUILDFORD parking lot/garage. UNIFOR is currently on strike against this employer, and we must support their picket line as well.
We recommend parking nearby on side streets and in front of the Chevron, as street parking may be available.
Be prepared to be on the picket line for four hours to complete your picket shift.
2. IF YOU ARE NOT SCHEDULED TO WORK AT THE GCC TOMORROW, AND INSTEAD ARE SCHEDULED TO WORK FROM HOME, YOU MUST CONTINUE TO WORK REMOTELY. We will update remote workers further on actions you can take in solidarity with BCGEU members, but for now you are instructed to work as usual from your remote location.
3. If Tuesday is a scheduled day off for you (i.e. vacation, day-in-lieu, etc.), we strongly encourage you to attend and support the picket line if you can. However, you are not required to report to the picket line.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Will I be disciplined by my employer if I exercise my right to not cross a legal picket line?
No. Your collective agreement offers you protection to not cross a legal picket line of another union. If your employer threatens any form of discipline if you do not continue working despite an active picket line in place, contact us immediately
We will inform you of when you may return to your work.
Will I be paid while respecting BCGEU’s picket line?
As respecting BCGEU’s picket line prevents you from going to work, it is as if you are on strike.
MoveUP, as well as our national union COPE, has picket pay to support members who are on strike or locked out. We will sign you in on-site at GCC to ensure that you receive your picket pay, with no statutory deductions (taxes, EI, CPP. etc) for days you are scheduled to work on-site at the GCC or DLO.
What is the BCGEU trying to achieve in their bargaining?
The issues that the BCGEU seeks to address for their members are consistent with the issues that we have identified as critical for our members. This is why it is important for us to support them.
Among those core issues include dealing with recruitment and retention issues, providing competitive wages to support public sector workers facing affordability concerns, and providing fair access to work-from-home provisions.
You can learn more about their bargaining position here.
Standing in solidarity with the BCGEU and PEA members will go a long way towards helping us reach a fair contract for our members at ICBC when we are at the bargaining table. When union members stand together, history has shown we can affect great change and score great victories for working people everywhere.
How will we get information updates from MoveUP?
Our two main communication methods will be through email and through text messages.
It is important that we have your preferred name, active cell phone number, and personal email address accurate.
Please log in to your Member Portal account to check that we have your updated information on file.
You can also log on to your Member Portal account to find your job steward information.
I Have More Questions—Whom Should I Contact?
a) MoveUP Job Stewards and Picket Captains On-Site
b) Your Vice-President
The Vice-President of the MoveUP ICBC Component is Dimitri Ossinsky, and he can be reached at dossinsky@moveuptogether.ca
c)Your Union Representative and MoveUP Union Office
Your Union Representative is Anny Chen, and she can be reached at achen@moveuptogether.ca.
You can also call the union office if the above people are unavailable at reception@moveuptogether.ca and/or 604-299-0378.
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
To expedite your picket pay payment, we have set up a Direct Deposit Authorization Form where you can register your banking information with us. This will allow our team to process your information quicker and avoid any delay in getting you paid.
Next Steps
Strikes and job action are fluid and can change rapidly as events unfold. We will endeavour to keep all of you informed of all incoming pertinent information as we are updated.
If you become aware of any relevant information, please keep your job stewards, your union representative and your Vice-President apprised.
Please also be on the lookout for further updates and advice from your union via bulletin and text message.
In solidarity,
Annette Toth, President
Dimitri Ossinsky, Vice President
Anny Chen, Union Representative
Nathan Beausoleil, Senior Union Representative