Community Living Society (CLS)
For too long, community social services workers have been undervalued, earning lower wages and fewer benefits than those in health care doing the same or similar work. And achieving recognition for the critical services they provide in delivering quality health care in British Columbia has been an uphill battle.
The Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) strongly advocates for workers’ rights by enforcing the language in our collective agreements.
Who are Community Living Society (CLS) workers?
CLS employees – covered under the Community Social Services (CSS) collective agreement – include community living counselors, coordinators, and assistant coordinators – who provide residential and vocational services to people with disabilities in the Lower Mainland.
- To download the Community Living Services Collective Agreement, click here.
- HEU Director of Organizing and Bargaining message to CLS employees
- Information for casuals and part-time staff
How will joining the Hospital Employees’ Union affect the individuals I support?
HEU is committed to quality care and better working conditions. Our collective agreement – which establishes wages, benefits and hours of work – improves and protects working and caring conditions in your workplace. That means less staff turnover and more consistency of care for individuals, clients and residents.
I like my employer. Will joining HEU hurt them? Will my wage and benefit increases come out of their existing funding?
Joining HEU ensures that employees have a strong collective voice and receive fair treatment – something that is also a benefit to fair-minded employers.
The B.C. government is funding the wage and benefit improvements for community social services workers. The cost of these improvements will not come from your employer’s existing funding.
I am concerned that my employer might take action against me if I support HEU.
Your support for HEU is kept completely confidential throughout the certification process. The employer does not have access to signed membership cards at any time.
B.C.’s Labour Code protects your right to explore union representation. An employer cannot intimidate, threaten or discriminate against you as a result of your union membership. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it is your constitutionally-protected right to join a union.
What are the advantages of joining HEU?
There are numerous benefits to becoming an HEU member. In addition to your collective agreement, HEU provides access to a wide range of benefits and resources, including servicing representation, education and training opportunities, health and safety support, WCB advocacy, and more.As an HEU member, your voice will be joined with more than 43,000 others in calling for improved working and caring conditions to ensure quality services for individuals, clients, residents and patients across B.C.
HEU provides a local union structure to support a strong union voice on workplace issues. And along with your co-workers, you’ll send delegates to the decision-making meetings of your union.
And through our membership in CUPE, we are linked to workers on the social services frontlines in B.C. and all across Canada.
Why do I have to pay union dues?
Union dues are tax deductible and are not deducted from your paycheques until after the monetary benefits of your collective agreement are in place.
For more information, call one of HEU’s organizers:
- Ria: 604-314-1426
- Arlene: 604-785-5254
- Lisa: 604-314-2237
Or call toll-free 1-800-663-5813 and ask for someone in organizing.
All calls are strictly confidential.
Action and upcoming events
- Information meeting on January 17, 2008 in Burnaby
