Implications of Recent Class 5 Driver's License Arbitration

The Decision

A decision was rendered regarding a sectoral policy grievance filed by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) on June 12, 2017. The policy grievance claimed that employers must pay the renewal fees for Class 5 driver’s licences ($75 every five years) for employees who are required to drive their own vehicles as part of their jobs or who are required to confirm that they hold a valid Class 5 driver’s licence as a job requirement. In his decision released September 13, 2017, Arbitrator Robert Pekeles ruled in favour of the CSSBA.

Arguments Presented

The CSSBA argued that employers must reimburse employees for the Class 5 licence in the same way that they must reimburse employees for the cost of renewing a Class 4 licence, as determined in an April 12, 2012 arbitration award issued by Arbitrator Vince Ready. It further argued that the obligation on employers to pay for licences that they require employees to possess is clearly set out in Article 28.12 – Required Certificates, under the Collective Agreements.

CSSEA argued that the Class 4 licence award does not apply in this case and further, that there was no clear agreement reached by the parties under the language of Article 28.12 leading to a conclusion that employers would pay for the cost of renewing Class 5 licences. Given that the provision was not clear, other evidence of the parties’ practice should be used to assist the arbitrator in determining that they never intended the Class 5 licence fees to be payable by employers. CSSEA’s evidence and key arguments can be summarized in the following:…

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Announcing 2017's Awards of Excellence Recipients

CSSEA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017 Community Social Services Awards of Excellence. The third annual awards recognizes four individuals working in various stages of their careers who have made outstanding contributions to the sector. On behalf of co-presenter TELUS, CSSEA’s Shortlisting Committee and our external judging panel, we congratulate:

Rising Star
Damian Brennan, Community Support Worker, Chilliwack Society for Community Living
A newcomer to the community social services sector, Damian has shown immense promise in working with individuals who display challenging behaviours. He uses his skills as a musician to connect with individuals and devotes much of his own time and resources to support them. This includes being available to family members at off hours, using his own networks to connect individuals to their community and being a generally upbeat person that colleagues can turn to.

Hero
Paulina Weslowski, Community Support Worker, Semiahmoo House Society
Paulina has been particularly passionate about building an inclusive and multicultural community throughout the Lower Mainland. Paulina’s efforts to share her Mexican heritage are notable in her involvement with the Mexican Migrant Farm Worker program at her church, as well as her facilitation of and participation in multicultural dance and Spanish language programs. Paulina is also an active volunteer and has lent her efforts at soup kitchens, a senior facility and thrift shop.…

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Premier Announces New Cabinet

BC’s new Premier, John Horgan, has unveiled his new cabinet, which comprises 20 ministers and two ministers of state. Among the highlights of the new government will be a stand-alone Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, a Minister of State for Child Care and a Minister for Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

Key ministers for our sector include:

• Minister of State for Child Care – Hon. Katrina Chen
• Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction – Hon. Shane Simpson
• Minister of Children and Family Development – Hon. Katrine Conroy
• Minister of Mental Health and Addictions – Hon. Judy Darcy
• Attorney General – Hon. David Eby…

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Revised EIP Policies and Procedures Now Available

In collaboration with the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA), CSSEA has updated the Early Intervention Program (EIP) Policies and Procedures guidelines, which govern the Community Social Services Early Intervention Program (CSSEIP).

The CSSEIP is jointly supported by CSSEA and the CSSBA as a mandatory program that complements a long-term disability plan and facilitates the proactive early return-to-work for employees with occupational and non-occupational disabilities. In addition to outlining the goals, objectives, responsibilities and policies of the program, the Policies and Procedures document provides a number of useful template letters.

The attached guide includes the following revisions and clarifications:…

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Register Now For 2017 AGM and Conference

CSSEA is pleased to announce that registration for the 2017 AGM and Conference, Strength in Diversity, is now open. The three-day event will be taking place October 24-26 at the newly renovated Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in beautiful Kelowna.

With guidance from the AGM Planning Committee, we put together a dynamic program that involves a mix of traditional workshops and high-level plenary sessions. Among this year’s highlights:

• Internationally Recognized Keynote Speaker: Whether starring in a reality television series on the re-building of Vancouver’s iconic Save on Meats or sharing his insights as a Fellow at Stanford University’s d.school, Mark Brand exudes passion. As a successful entrepreneur, advocate of Vancouver’s downtown eastside and fearless innovator, Mark will deliver what is sure to be an inspiring address on how to live and serve with passion.
• Embracing Diversity: This year’s theme pays tribute to diversity and we planned a range of workshops that encourage employers to look at the topic through multi-faceted lenses. In keeping with the theme, we will be holding a powerful experiential workshop on reconciliation.
• Bundled Pricing: New full conference and full day rates allow us to offer preferential pricing when compared to traditional a la carte pricing.
• More Learning and Networking Opportunities: The program has been tweaked to accommodate more professional development opportunities for front line staff. While Executive Directors are attending the AGM, for example, new managers and other staff can attend practical, skills-focused workshops. We also incorporated more opportunities for you to network with colleagues, new and old. Certain meals and coffee breaks have been extended so delegates can catch up, de-brief and socialise.
• Election of 2019 Bargaining Committee: With collective bargaining commencing in late 2018, we will be selecting the committee to represent your needs and concerns at this year’s AGM on October 24.…

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2016 Social Services Sector HR Metrics Report Now Available

As part of CSSEA’s ongoing commitment to provide members with value-added services, we are pleased to present the 2016 Social Services Sector HR Metrics Report. The report and one page highlights are available for download from the Social Services Workforce Information System (WFIS) on CSSEA’s website.

This report was made possible by data collected through the Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey. As always, we thank you for your participation in the survey, which allows us to continue producing reports that offer valuable sectoral insights.

If you have not yet completed the 2017 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey, please do so by May 31, 2017.

Any questions about this report, survey completion, or access to WFIS can be directed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .…

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Time Off For Employees to Vote in the Provincial Election

The province’s 41^st general election will be taking place May 9, 2017. Employers are reminded that, in accordance with the collective agreements and the Election Act, employees are entitled to a minimum number of hours off without loss of pay during voting hours. Time off to vote is to be granted at the convenience of the employer and employers are only required to provide sufficient time off to make up the minimum block of time during the period that polls are open.

Polls will be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

How to Calculate Time Off

According to Article 20.5 (Elections) of the collective agreements:

Any employee eligible to vote in a federal, provincial, municipal, First Nations or other Aboriginal election or a referendum shall have four (4) consecutive clear hours during the hours in which the polls are open in which to cast their ballot.

Employers are not obligated to grant each employee four (4) hours off work to vote where unnecessary. Rather, employers must provide sufficient time away from work to make up a four (4) hour block of time during the period that the polls are open.…

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CSSEA Info - Final Two Weeks to Nominate

There are now two weeks remaining to nominate an outstanding individual for a BC Community Social Services Award of Excellence. The awards pay tribute to four individuals working in various stages of their careers in BC’s publicly funded community social services sector. To begin or resume a nomination, or to preview the four nomination questions, go to the Nominate section of our Awards website. The website also provides full details on the awards categories, previous recipients and the evaluation process.

This year’s recipients will be honoured at a luncheon in Kelowna on October 25 during our 2017 AGM and Conference.

If you have any questions, please contact Doris Sun at: 604.601.3110, toll free at 1.800.377.3340 ext. 110 or via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .…

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CSSEA Info - New Occupational Health and Safety Regulations to Come Into Effect

Three new WorkSafeBC Occupational Health & Safety Regulations (OHSR) will be implemented effective April 3, 2017. The new regulations will require that joint committees be evaluated annually; that minimum mandatory training and education be conducted for joint committee members and worker health and safety representatives; and that full and meaningful participation is defined when dealing with accident reporting and employer incident investigations.

New Regulations in Detail

1) Evaluation of Joint Committees

Section 3.26 requires employers to ensure an evaluation of each of its joint committees is conducted annually. The purpose of the evaluation is to allow a joint committee, after a year in operation, to examine its effectiveness and think about how to improve in following years.

The evaluation must be conducted by either:…

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CSSEA Info: Help Us Recognize Excellence in the Sector

If you have friends, colleagues or relatives who work in BC's publicly funded community social services sector and exemplify dedication and passion, we want to hear from you! Nominations are now open for the third annual BC Community Social Services Awards of Excellence, presented by CSSEA and sponsored by TELUS.

Four Award Categories

The Awards of Excellence celebrate four individuals who provide vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The award categories are:
• Rising Star: An individual with less than five years of experience who demonstrates early success.
• Leader: An individual with more than five years of formal leadership experience who leads and mentors a team to achieve a common goal.
• Hero: Someone who goes the extra mile to make a difference, not necessarily in a formal leadership role.
• Legend: An ED or CEO with at least 15 years of experience who has made extraordinary contributions to the community and the sector.…

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