Bulletin
Your Concerns are Our Concerns
January 23, 2019
To: All MoveUP ICBC Injury Adjusters, Senior Injury Adjusters, Claims Examiners, Senior Claims Examiners, Recovery Benefit Coordinators and Job Stewards, Executive Councillors and Executive Board Members
First off, thank you to everyone who shared their concerns, questions and opinions. We are currently wading through the hundreds of emails we have received as of this morning. We intend to respond to everyone personally but wanted to get this out right away.
Let’s start with the rumours.
Rumour # 1 The union knew about this over 7 months ago and did not tell us.
Fact: The union was not advised by ICBC of their intention to merge the SG11 to SG12 until mid-December with no specifics of how or when this would happen or when they would tell you. We were advised on Thursday January 10, 2019 that ICBC wanted to announce this on January 21 and that they planned to make it effective March 4, 2019. We immediately recognized how staff could be adversely as well as some positively impacted by this change and have tried to discuss this with ICBC. Ultimately, we left it to ICBC to announce these changes because this decision was and remains theirs.
Rumour # 2 The union agreed to this.
Fact: We have not agreed to anything. We have maintained all along that changes will not be off the backs of our members and that if they want our agreement, then the members need something in return, and that does not just mean one group of workers getting a pay increase. ICBC will achieve significant efficiencies through merging 500 Senior Injury Adjusters in with the Claims Examiners and we believe strongly that our members, should see some benefit, because changes that happen in one department will have an impact in many others.
We acknowledge that ICBC can create new jobs and make operational changes, but they must follow the collective agreement or seek our written agreement should they wish relief. So far they are wanting our agreement on a number of issues that will help them without giving anything in return. You deserve better.
What now?
We are concerned about how this announcement will drive a wedge between workers. We are encouraging everyone to step back and remember that the Senior Injury Adjusters did not ask for this change and so we ask that members stop pitting ourselves against one another, and focus our energy and ire to where it rightly belongs.
We are going to be sharing your issues and concerns with ICBC. We are going to continue to push for fairness and equity, and we are going to continue to make sure your rights are protected and your interests are represented.
We will have more updates for you as they come in.
In solidarity,
Annette Toth, Vice-President
Kevin Smyth, Senior Union Representative