The Professional Employees Association (PEA), representing members in B.C.’s public service and the University of Victoria, has ratified two new agreements under government’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate.

Both agreements focus on improving services for people and ensuring fair and affordable compensation. The BC Public Service Agency and PEA cover approximately 1,200 people working as foresters, engineers, agrologists, geoscientists, psychologists and others in B.C.’s public service. The agreement includes:

• a three-year term of April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022
• general wage increases of 2% per year
• improved service delivery through changes to the modified work week language for new hires
• support to address recruitment and retention in key roles, such as geologists, engineers, veterinarians and pharmacists

Additionally, the board of governors at the University of Victoria and the PEA recently ratified their agreement reached in late December 2018. The agreement represents nearly 1,000 PEA members, including lab instructors, scientists, IT professionals, co-ordinators, supervisors and others. The agreement includes:

• a three-year term of July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022
• general wage increases of 2% per year
• support to address recruitment and retention in key information technology and systems occupations

The Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate supports government’s commitment to improve the services people count on, make life more affordable and invest in sustainable economic growth. The mandate is consistent with B.C.’s commitment to balanced budgets and sound fiscal management.

Currently, there are just over 198,000 public-sector employees covered by tentative or ratified agreements reached under B.C.’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate.

Learn more about public-sector bargaining in B.C.: gov.bc.ca/psecbargaining