The Legal Services Society and the BCGEU have ratified a three-year agreement reached under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Justice Minister Shirley Bond announced today.

The agreement provides for modest wage increases of two per cent effective on April 1 of 2012, 2013 and 2014, which are being funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

The Legal Services Society employs approximately 110 BCGEU members, including tariff accounts examiners responsible for processing lawyer payments, intake legal assistants responsible for processing client legal aid applications and providing legal information, as well as IT staff and administrative personnel at locations in the Lower Mainland and Terrace.

About two-thirds 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 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 Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"The ratification of an agreement with the Legal Services Society is a strong signal that our government can continue to work closely with our partners across the justice system to achieve broad reforms that will improve justice services for British Columbians."

"I am pleased to hear that the Legal Services Society and the BCGEU have now ratified their agreement under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"About two-thirds of unionized employees in B.C.'s public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the challenging fiscal climate. This and other agreements show significant progress is being made under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate."

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 - Grade12, post-secondary, health and community social services sectors.

Learn More:

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

Media Contact:

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