Your Input is Needed in 2019 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey

The 2019 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey is now available to complete. It is very important that all members complete the survey, as your data needs to be included in the sector’s total compensation cost reported to the Public Sector Employers’ Council (PSEC). Data collected supports the implementation of the 2019-2022 collective agreements and will also be used to inform the allocation and distribution of the April 1, 2020 Low Wage Redress wage increases.

Members have until May 31, 2019 to submit the survey through one of the following options:

1. The Excel Survey, which is the recommended method for most members.
2. The Work Force Information System (WFIS), where data can be entered directly online or can be copied from last year’s survey and then edited online.
3. Payroll Extract for members using ComVida EMS42 Payroll, Payworks Payroll and Avanti Software which allows member to export relevant information and includes a short supplementary survey. For members using payroll extract for the first time or to submit your extract, please contact David Lin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For payroll vendor-specific questions, please consult your applicable contact: 

Avanti Software Inc.
CSSEA Sales Support Team
Phone: 1-800-660-0464 ext.4
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ComVida Corporation
Gord Gruger, CA
Director of National Sales
Toll Free: 1-866-266-8432 ext. 111
Direct: 604-540-3011 Cell: 778-883-4409
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Payworks
Ian Pedersen
Senior Corporate Consultant
Phone: 604.460.2862 x110
Mobile: 604.818.1744
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. …

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CSSEA and CSSBA Agree to Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement Allocation Process

CSSEA and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) have agreed to a process by which to allocate Early Childhood Educator (ECE) wage enhancements and have jointly created a template for use by both parties to implement those wage enhancements. Both CSSEA and the CSSBA have agreed to provide direction to their respective employers and union representatives on this process.

 Background

As part of the Provincial Government’s Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, front-line Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) working in eligible licensed child care facilities receiving Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) will be eligible to receive a $1 per hour wage enhancement beginning in early 2019 and retroactive to September 1, 2018.

Another $1 per hour is scheduled for April 1, 2020, which will increase the total wage enhancement to $2 per hour as part of Government’s Childcare BC plan. Additional funding for statutory benefits will also be provided.…

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Latest Update on Early Childhood Educator Funding

CSSEA recently received further clarification from PSEC on the BC government’s Early Childhood Educator (ECE) wage enhancement program, which will offer eligible employees a $1-per-hour wage increase retroactive to September 1, 2018, and a second $1-per-hour wage increase in April 2020.

Specifically, CSSEA is informed that members who offer non-provincially funded childcare programs are eligible for the ECE wage enhancement funding. Members who have a local agreement in place must first demonstrate that the agreement has been updated to show the wage enhancement in order to be eligible for funding. If employers do not have a local agreement, they are automatically eligible for the funding once they apply.

As we are quickly approaching the application deadline of December 31, 2018, CSSEA encourages all members who want to be considered for funding to apply here. For more background on this issue, please consult our recent CSSEA Info or government’s ECE webpage.

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Update on Early Childhood Educator Funding

An earlier CSSEA Info advised the membership of the BC government’s initiative to help bolster recruitment and retention for front-line Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) by funding a $1-per-hour wage increase retroactive to September 1, 2018, and a second $1-per-hour wage increase in April 2020.

Since releasing the bulletin, CSSEA has fielded a number of inquiries from members seeking clarification of some aspects of the Initiative. We have been involved in discussions with members, the government and unions to facilitate a better understanding of how the initiative is to be implemented for non-provincially and provincially funded ECEs (whether covered by the CSSEA collective agreements, local agreements, or non-union arrangements).

CSSEA will continue to seek clarification of these implementation issues and will issue a follow-up bulletin as soon as possible, once we receive more information from MCFD. We appreciate that this is a time-sensitive matter and encourage members to meet the application deadline for the wage enhancement, which is on or before December 31, 2018. More information, including Funding Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on the government’s ECE webpage.

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CSSEA and CSSBA Joint Communication - April 2019 Wage Grids

2% General Wage Increase, Improvement in Mileage Allowance and $20 Million Low Wage Redress Effective April 1, 2019

General Wage Increase

On April 1, 2019, bargaining unit employees are to receive a 2% general wage increase.

Mileage Allowance

Mileage reimbursement rate will increase by one (1) cent per kilometer, effective April 1, 2019, for Community Living Services, General Services and Indigenous Services Collective Agreements.

$20 Million Low Wage Redress

CSSEA and CSSBA have agreed on the distribution of the first of three annual $20 million Low Wage Redress fund (wage schedules outlining the hourly wages are attached) effective April 1, 2019. This will also cover the adjustment in pay in lieu of benefits for part-time and casual employees to account for the addition of Family Day. The agreement provides for the following distribution:…

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2% General Wage Increase, Improvement in Mileage Allowance and $20 Million Low Wage Redress Effective April 1, 2019

General Wage Increase

On April 1, 2019, bargaining unit employees are to receive a 2% general wage increase.

Mileage Allowance

Mileage reimbursement rate will increase by one (1) cent per kilometer, effective April 1, 2019, for Community Living Services, General Services and Indigenous Services Collective Agreements.

$20 Million Low Wage Redress

CSSEA and CSSBA have agreed on the distribution of the first of three annual $20 million Low Wage Redress fund (wage schedules outlining the hourly wages are attached) effective April 1, 2019. This will also cover the adjustment in pay in lieu of benefits for part-time and casual employees to account for the addition of Family Day. The agreement provides for the following distribution:…

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February 1, 2019 Wage Grids Now Available

February 1, 2019 wage grids now available

Updated wage grids that incorporate the recently announced Economic Stability Dividend (ESD) and general wage increase are now available for Community Living Services, General Services and Indigenous Services divisions.

The Minister of Finance recently announced the ESD, which amounts to a 0.75% wage increase for employees covered by collective agreements settled under the government’s Economic Stability Mandate. Both the 0.75% ESD and 1.0% general wage increase are effective February 1, 2019.

ABORIGINAL SERVICES DELEGATED PROGRAMS

The 0.75% ESD and general wage increase of 1% will come into effect on February 3, 2019 for delegated positions. The ESD will amount to $0.2392 per hour for delegated positions. A general wage increase of 2.0% will also be effective April 1, 2019 for delegated positions.…

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BC's Employer Health Tax to Come Into Effect Soon

Effective January 1, 2019, the BC government will be implementing the Employer Health Tax (EHT), an annual payroll tax that will apply to employers and in 2020, replace the current Medical Services Plan (MSP). The EHT will be payable in addition to MSP in 2019. EHT applies to employers who pay employees that work at a permanent establishment in BC, as well to those who employ individuals who do not report to work at a permanent establishment, but are paid from a permanent establishment in BC.

EHT Tax Rates

The EHT will be paid on employees’ full remuneration during the calendar year and the rate varies for charities, non-profit organizations and businesses. EHT tax rates are as follows:

For charity and non-profit employers

For regular employers

How to Pay

Employers who are subject to EHT must register online for an EHT account using eTaxBC starting January 7, 2019. Following registration, employers will be assigned an employer health tax account number in order to file and pay tax returns.…

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Government Repeal of Legislation

The BC government announced today its intention to repeal two existing Acts, the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act, known as Bill 29, and the Health Sector Partnerships Agreement Act, known as Bill 94. Bill 29 governs the health and social services sectors, enabling the transfer and contracting out of services in prescribed circumstances and voiding certain provisions of the collective agreements that place limits on those initiatives.

The proposed repeal is expected to come into effect in Spring, 2019. Once repealed, collective agreement provisions and general labour relations laws on the transfer and contracting out of services will be restored to improve on employee job security while still aiming to promote strong service delivery.

In the coming months, government will be consulting with both the community social services and health sectors. CSSEA will be proactive in ensuring that all parties, including members, government and unions, fully understand the impact of the repeal on our sector, including whether any changes are necessary to collective agreement provisions such as MOA #10 (Continuity of Service Employment). A copy of the government’s announcement can be obtained here. If you have any further questions, please contact your HRLR Consultant.

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2018 Annual Report Released

CSSEA’s 2018 Annual Report, containing excerpted highlights from our approved audited financial statements, is now available online.

If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Director of Communications.…

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