BC Pavilion Corporation and the BCGEU Local 1703 have both ratified a three-year agreement under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Rich Coleman announced today.

The agreement includes a zero per cent increase in the first year of the agreement, consistent with the Net Zero Mandate followed by modest wage increases of two per cent per year, effective June 2013 and June 2014. These increases will be funded through savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

PavCo employs 35 full-time employees, approximately 100 part-time employees and about 625 event-specific staff at BC Place. Unionized roles at BC Place include skilled tradespersons and technicians, building security, conversions, event security, first aid, housekeeping and event hosting.

Almost three-quarters of the people working in B.C.'s public sector now have tentative or ratified agreements settled under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate. This represents over one-third of all agreements.

Both the BC Pavilion Corporation Board and the BCGEU Local 1703 members ratified the agreement in the last few days.

The B.C. government has been clear that there is no new money to fund wage increases and there is no desire to download these costs onto families or future generations. The Cooperative Gains Mandate provides public-sector employers with the ability to negotiate modest wage increases funded from savings within existing budgets, while not adding costs to taxpayers and ratepayers, and not sacrificing services.

Settlements under the 2012 mandate are expected to be unique between sectors and between employers in some sectors.

Quotes:

Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Rich Coleman -

"I am pleased to hear that the BC Pavilion Corporation and the BCGEU Local 1703 have ratified this agreement under the Cooperative Gains Mandate."

"I would like to thank the negotiators on both sides of the table for their hard work in making this agreement happen."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"Almost three-quarters of unionized employees in B.C.'s public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the tough fiscal environment. These agreements show significant progress is being made under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate."

"This mandate gives employers and unions the opportunity to find creative solutions, and this means no two settlements are going to be alike. We are going to see unique settlements in every sector and with each employer."

BC Place general manager Howard Crosley -

"We are pleased to have reached agreement with the BCGEU for our team of skilled trades, hosting, security, housekeeping, first aid, conversion, and technical personnel."

"We look forward to delivering amazing events and experiences at BC Place that all of B.C. can be proud of!"

Quick Facts:

• The new 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate applies to all public-sector employers whose collective agreements expired on or after Dec. 31, 2011.

• About 300,000 unionized workers are employed in the public service, at Crown corporations and agencies, and in the kindergarten-to-Grade 12, post-secondary, health and community social services sectors.

Learn More:

Updated bargaining information is available at: http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/psec/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-9872

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617