Bulletin
What to do if you encounter a picket line at Guildford Corporate Centre
August 31, 2025
To: MoveUP Members at ICBC GCC
On Friday, we informed MoveUP members that the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the Professional Employees Association (PEA) have provided 72-hour strike notice and are in a legal position to strike as of Tuesday, September 2.
The members of BCGEU and PEA are fighting for a fair collective agreement that includes wage improvements that fairly reflects 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 what happens for your next collective agreement.
That is why it is imperative for our members, especially those at ICBC, support the BCGEU and PEA members in their job action. We will respect the picket line if they have it set up at our common worksites, including at the Guildford Corporate Centre (GCC).
Should you encounter a picket line, please follow this guide:
- DO NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE. Seek out a MoveUP representative or your job steward. If you are unable to connect with either, then send an email to reception@moveuptogether.ca with the details of what you have encountered. You may join the workers on the picket line as a show of solidarity but do not, under any circumstances, enter the building even if you find there is an unimpeded access spot.
- ***UPDATED INFORMATION:*** If GCC is your regular headquarters but you are scheduled to work from home, continue working as normal.
- If you have already started work when picket lines go up, continue working as usual until the end of your shift. Once you leave the building, you will not be able to return to it, so we encourage you to bring any personal belongings with you when you exit.
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.
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 in the event a legal picket line prevents you from getting to work. 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 if I am unable to work due to a third-party picket?
If there is a third-party picket at your worksite that 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. More information will be shared about this soon.
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.
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
To expedite picket payment to you in the event of a third-party picket, 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 issuing picket pay in the event of job action.
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.
Thank you for your support and understanding of this challenging situation.
In solidarity,
Annette Toth, President
Dimitri Ossinsky, Vice-President
Anny Chen, Union Representative
Nathan Beausoleil, Senior Union Representative