WorkSafeBC and the Compensation Employees' Union have ratified the agreement reached under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell announced today.

The agreement covers two years and includes modest wage increases of two per cent effective April 1, 2012, and two per cent on April 1, 2013, funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

The CEU represents approximately 2,500 people working at various positions in WorkSafeBC, enforcing occupational health and safety rules and providing claims adjudication and health-care services to workers who are injured. WorkSafeBC is an independent legislated agency that is funded entirely by employers in the public and private sector. It does not receive funding from government.

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 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, or in the case of WorkSafeBC, the employers who fund the system, without sacrificing services.

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

Quotes:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell -

"I would like to recognize the efforts of WorkSafeBC and the Compensation Employees' Union in reaching and ratifying this agreement."

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 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."

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 K-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 Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821