The Community Social Services Employers' Association and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association have reached a tentative agreement under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Social Development Minister Moira Stilwell announced today.

The two-year agreement includes modest wage increases funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

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.

The agreement covers approximately 12,000 employees working in the community social services sector, including people working in the areas of Community Living Services and General Services. The ratification process for all parties will get underway over the next few weeks.

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 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate provides public-sector employers with the ability to negotiate modest wage increases funded from savings within existing budgets, 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 Social Development Moira Stilwell -

"I recognize the tremendous work that is done through agencies across the social service sector. This is an important tentative agreement to the people working in the sector and the clients who depend on them for help and support."

"I would like to recognize the efforts of all the parties on both sides of the table in reaching this agreement."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"This tentative agreement is a significant achievement because the social services sector is one of the last major groups to reach a tentative agreement under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate. Almost three-quarters of unionized employees in B.C.'s public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the tough fiscal environment."

"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."

Quick Facts:

• The 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate applies to all public-sector employers whose collective agreements expire 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-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 Social Development
250 356-1670