Registration Now Open for 2018 AGM and Conference

CSSEA invites you to register now for the 2018 AGM and Conference, Leading in Complexity. The three-day event will be taking place October 9-11 at the Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown Hotel.

With guidance from the AGM Planning Committee, we put together a dynamic program that includes the following highlights:

• Targeted Learning: This year’s workshops will apply more effectively to individuals at various stages of their careers, including New Managers, Senior Managers and ED/CEOs. We will also be offering a number of general sessions that will appeal to participants of all levels.
• Internationally Respected Keynote Speaker: With experience in both academia and the public sector, Steve Patty has developed a strong reputation among non-profit organizations for his expertise in helping them develop their employees in a practical, human and impactful way. He has shared his knowledge and advice with thousands of leaders throughout North America and Europe.
• More Networking Opportunities: This year’s program will feature two sponsored receptions, as well as a Networking Lunch, which will give members ample opportunity to connect, share learnings and be social.…

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Three-Year Tentative Agreements Reached

Three-year tentative agreements have been reached between CSSEA’s Bargaining Committee and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association in Community Living Services and General Services. The tentative agreements were made under government’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate, which aims to improve services, make life more affordable and build a strong, sustainable economy in BC. They will enhance services for British Columbians and improve access for individuals served.

Negotiations will continue in the next week for Aboriginal Services. 

Details of the agreements will be provided in the coming weeks prior to ratification.…

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Live in Support Workers

In April, the Ministry of Labour, on recommendation from the Fair Wages Commission, announced changes to certain alternate minimum wage rates. The Commission only considered one small group of Live-in Support Workers in this category but following discussions with the sector, the Ministry became aware that there are other workers who may be affected by such a change. As a result, the Ministry has deferred its decision to eliminate the alternate minimum wage for Live-in Support Workers pending further examination of the broader implications of such a move.

The government is committed to wage fairness for all British Columbians and believes that employees, businesses and operators deserve wage increases that are predictable and sustainable. To that end, the relevant Ministries are working with CSSEA to collect current data on Live-In Support Workers so they are able to make a decision. We ask for your assistance with this process by completing the brief survey that was sent last week and to provide your comments where applicable.

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Community Social Services Sector Proud to Launch New Injury Prevention Handbook

Following three years of work with sectoral partners that include CSSEA, the Federation of Community Social Services of BC (The Fed) and WorkSafeBC, with support from the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA), we are pleased to jointly launch the Community Social Services Health & Safety Handbook. The Handbook is a first-of-its-kind resource in Canada for the social services sector and provides strategies on how employers can prevent workplace injury, respond in the event of an occupational injury and reintegrate employees back to the workplace following an injury.

How to Learn More

Several initiatives will be rolled out in the coming weeks in order to familiarize employers with the content, features and uses of the Handbook. A webinar is scheduled for May 10 from 10:30 to 11:30am, and is open to all who register online. The webinar will be followed by in-person sessions around the province, where attendees can bring questions and receive a hard copy of the Handbook. Dates, times and locations for those sessions will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Acknowledgements

The Handbook was made possible by the joint commitment of CSSEA, The Fed, CSSBA and WorkSafeBC, under the leadership of Project Manager Satvinder Basran. Additional workplace insights provided by the 26 CSSEA agencies that were a part of the project since its inception, as well as four additional agencies who joined in the last year, provided invaluable firsthand knowledge that contributed directly to the publication. The partners will continue to work on injury prevention, disability management and resource development for the sector, as the project has been renewed for one more year.…

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Final Days to Nominate for 2018 Awards of Excellence

Those thinking about submitting a nomination for the 2018 BC Community Social Services Awards of Excellence are reminded that this is the final week to do so. Anyone can nominate an outstanding individual working in BC's publicly funded community social services sector and the recognition is a meaningful way to highlight individual successes and build organizational pride. The nomination involves answering four straightforward questions to a maximum of 500 words for each response. Winners will be determined through a two-part shortlisting and judging process and as part of their award, will receive travel to and accommodation in Vancouver, where a luncheon will be held in their honour on October 10 at the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 20 at 5pm. Full details, including the nomination form, can be found on our Awards Website. If you have any questions, 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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Class 4 Driver's License Requirements for Employees

The CEO Network approached CSSEA on behalf of its members to provide direction regarding employee driver’s license requirements for Class 4 Licenses in BC. Following an initial consultation with the Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC), we sought further legal regulatory expertise from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP on the licensing requirements pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Act and associated regulations.

Generally, under the Motor Vehicle Act, employers must ensure that employees who are directed to operate vehicles in the course of their employment possess the appropriate class of license to operate the particular motor vehicle. Failure to possess the appropriate license is considered an offence and may also invalidate insurance coverage through ICBC.

The focus of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, which set out licensing requirements, is the nature and use of the vehicle and driver:…

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2017 Employee Turnover Report Now Available

As part of CSSEA’s ongoing commitment to provide members with value-added services, we are pleased to present the 2017 Employee Turnover Report. The report and one page highlights are made possible through data collected in the 2017 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey. As always, we thank you for your participation in the survey.

If you have not yet completed the 2018 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey, please do so by May 31, 2018. It is especially important for members to complete this survey, as the data gathered will be used to report the sector’s total compensation cost to PSEC and assist in drafting the 2019 bargaining mandate.

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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Nominate Now for 2018 BC Community Social Services Awards of Excellence!

If you know an outstanding individual working in BC's publicly funded community social services sector, do not miss the chance to honour him/her by submitting a nomination for the fourth 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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Final Decision on Class 5 Driver's Licenses Received

CSSEA informed the membership in late 2017 that it had filed an appeal to the Labour Relations Board (LRB) of an arbitration decision that ruled employers must pay the renewal fees of employees’ Class 5 driver’s licences when employers require employees to drive as part of their jobs. The LRB has dismissed our appeal, upholding Arbitrator Pekeles’ original decision. While CSSEA is very disappointed by the outcome, we acknowledge that the arbitration decision stands and must be fully implemented.

We encourage members who feel strongly about this or other issues to register for our Bargaining Consultation Sessions, which will be held around the province this spring. The sessions will provide employers with the opportunity to comment on the impact of this decision and whether they wish for us to propose changes to the collective agreement in the upcoming round of bargaining. Anyone with questions are asked to contact their HRLR Consultant.

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Employers May be Eligible for Federal EI Reduction Program

The Employment Insurance (EI) Premium Reduction Program is available to employers who offer a short-term disability or cumulative sick leave plan to their employees and whose plans meet certain requirements. The program has been made possible by short-term disability plans, which reduce demands made on the EI program. Savings from reduced premiums are shared between the employer and employee. A minimum amount of 5/12 of the savings must be returned to the employee (employers can choose to return more if they wish), either in the form of a cash rebate (taxable and insurable) or new or increased employee benefits. Participation in this program is permitted under the sectoral Collective Agreements.

Eligibility

To be considered for a premium reduction, your plan must:

• Be a weekly indemnity plan or cumulative paid sick leave plan.
• Provide at least 15 weeks of benefits for short-term disability.
• Match or exceed the level of benefits provided under EI.
• Pay benefits to employees within eight days of illness or injury (the elimination period cannot exceed seven consecutive days).
• Be accessible to employees within three months of hiring; and
• Cover employees on a 24-hour-a-day basis.…

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