Monetary Priorities Tabled for CSS Members

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Community Social Services Bargaining Update

Update from Community Social Services bargaining

The Community Social Services (CSS) bargaining committee has begun to discuss monetary priorities with the employers’ association. The tabled monetary package was thoughtful and reflective of the priorities identified by CSS members for the bargaining committee. The package includes mental health supports and more accessible and affordable services to people who need them. 

In order to create safer workspaces, training and language was proposed for diversity and inclusion. The bargaining committee is also pushing for meaningful and tangible Indigenous recognition and reconciliation to be reflected in the Indigenous Services subsector agreement, and for all Indigenous workers across all three subsector agreements (including Community Living Services and General Services).
 
The bargaining committee is also working hard to re-establish professionalism for the sector. In 2004, the BC Liberals stripped wages and entitlements from the CSS collective agreements by re-tendering services contracts to the lowest bidder, threatening job loss for many CSS workers. Members who remained in the sector have never forgotten the impact of this change and what was lost. In every round of bargaining since, members have fought to restore what was taken and make meaningful gains to reflect the value of the vital work CSS members do for our communities. CSS members deserve to be recognized as professionals and compensated at the same level as other public sector workers who do the same or similar work.
 
The CSS bargaining committee is united and prepared to have challenging conversations at the table in order to reach a tentative agreement that is reflective of members’ priorities.

Pictured above: The Community Social Services Bargaining Committee

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