CEO Update - January 2017

Do You Work With an Outstanding Colleague?

What better way to start the year than by thinking about nominations for the 2017 BC Community Social Services Awards of Excellence. This year the awards will be presented in Kelowna at the Delta Grand Okanagan on October 25. Nominations for the four categories — Rising Star, Hero, Leader and Legend — will be open in early March and details on the requirements, nomination process, as well as recent winners, can be found on our awards website. 

Benefits Equivalency Arbitration

Arbitrator Wayne Moore recently issued a decision on a matter referred to him by the CSSBA regarding the ongoing equivalency of benefit providers. The matter stems from concerns about some providers not being willing or able to provide the benefits agreed upon in the collective agreements, putting employees and employers at risk. In his decision, Moore required CSSEA and the CSSBA to meet and discuss criteria and a process for establishing and maintaining suitability of benefit providers. The decision also directs the parties to discuss evaluating equivalency and determining a process for resolving issues when they arise. CSSEA is currently working on the implementation of the decision and on an equivalency process that protects employers and employees and respects members’ right to choose providers. CSSEA recognizes the rising cost of benefits is of concern to members and we continue to work with accredited benefit providers and the CSSBA to control those cost. 

2017 HR Practitioners’ Meetings

Dates have been set for this year’s HR Practitioners’ Meetings: April 7, September 15 and December 8. Online registration details will be sent as they become available and in the meantime, members are invited to note the selected dates.…

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CEO Update - December 2016

Funders Meeting

CSSEA recently hosted the 2017/18 Collective Agreement Funders Meeting in Vancouver. Amongst those in attendance were myself; Janice Barr, Board Chair; Eric Peraro, Executive Director, Finance, Research and Knowledge Management and various representatives from PSEC; the Ministry of Children and Family Development; Community Living BC; the Ministry of Health; BC Housing; the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General; and the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. The meeting focused on the upcoming general wage increase, Economic Stability Dividend, Comparability and Anomaly Adjustment, increases to the transportation and meal allowance and various increases to extended health coverage. In addition, we highlighted other fiscal realities facing the membership and discussed learnings from last year’s roll-out. Members can access a copy of the presentation here. 

BC Pharmacare Changes to Reference Drug Pricing

BC Pharmacare recently updated its Reference Drug Pricing (RDP) program. The program designates one or more drugs to be considered a cost “reference,” which renders the daily cost of the drug as the maximum daily amount covered by PharmaCare. Individuals prescribed a higher-cost drug will be covered up to the cost of the reference drug. Effective December 1, Pharmacare expanded RDP categories to include three new categories of drugs: angiotensin receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors and statins. Members can access a full listing of the affected drugs and changes to coverage by referencing this Pharmacare poster.

JJEP Updates

CSSEA has been working jointly with the CSSBA to review and update 62 benchmarks, and recently released a revised joint Benchmark and Benchmark Ratings document. The document can be accessed on CSSEA’s website by logging in, clicking on the Members/Joint Job Evaluation Plan tabs and scrolling down to the Resources section. Anyone with questions should contact Eric Peraro, Executive Director of Research and Knowledge Management, at 604.604.3104, 1.800.377.3340 ext. 104 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .…

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CEO Update - November 2016

2016 AGM and Conference

Thanks to everyone who joined us at CSSEA’s 2016 AGM and Conference, Creating Opportunities, Building Connections. Both CSSEA staff and I enjoyed connecting with attendees and hope members benefited from our professional development offerings and networking events. All conference presentations can now be accessed on the Speaker Presentations page of the conference website.

I would also like to congratulate our newly elected panel member, Deborah Joyce of District 69 Family Resource Association (General Services) and newly elected Board Vice-Chair, David Young (General Services). A full list of our 2016-17 Board and Panel members can be found on our website.

Mark your calendars for CSSEA’s 2017 AGM and Conference, which will take place in Kelowna from October 24-26 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort.…

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CEO Update - August 2016

HR Practitioners Meeting

The next HR Practitioners’ Meeting is set for September 14, from 10 am to 3 pm, on the 11th floor of CSSEA’s office, at 555 Burrard Street. Among some of the topics on the agenda, we will be addressing union disclosure requests, our aging workforce and claims management. As usual, attendees will also have the opportunity to network with consultants over lunch. Those interested in attending or participating through webinar are asked to register online.

WorkSafeBC Webinar

CSSEA will be co-hosting an upcoming webinar with WorkSafeBC on rate consultation. The webinar is scheduled for September 20, from 10am to noon, and will provide employers with an update on the preliminary 2017 classification rates that have been proposed for the community social services sector; to present background information/data on how the sector is performing; and to provide information on WorkSafeBC resources that are available to support employers. Registration details are forthcoming.

2016 AGM and Fall Conference

Don’t forget to register early for Creating Opportunities, Building Connections, this year’s AGM and Conference, taking place at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre from October 18-20. Delegates who submit their registrations before August 31st will have their names entered into a draw for one of two prizes of a complimentary one night’s stay at the conference venue. Good luck to all registrants.…

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CEO Update - July 2016

2016 AGM and Fall Conference

Online registration for this year’s AGM and Fall Conference has now launched. We are proud to unveil the program for “Creating Opportunities, Building Connections,” taking place at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre from October 18-20. In an effort to expand on our green initiative, we have transitioned to a full conference website, which houses all details about the program, venue, speakers and registration. We encourage all members to register early and are offering a chance to win one of two prizes of a complimentary night’s stay at the hotel for those who register before August 31st. We look forward to welcoming all delegates to Vancouver.

Be a Part of CSSEA’s 2016 Annual Report

As we begin work on this year’s Annual Report, we are inviting all members to send high resolution photos of their staff delivering services, participating in community events, engaging in team functions etc. for potential inclusion. While we can’t promise every image will be featured, we will make every effort to showcase members across our three service divisions. Those interested in submitting photos are asked to email Doris Sun at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by August 15. Please note the Annual Report is a public document that will be printed and posted online so please ensure anyone featured in your submissions have consented to their image being made public.

Minimum Wage Increase

Members are advised that the first of two scheduled minimum wage increases is set to come into effect in British Columbia soon. Effective September 15, 2016, the first increase of 40 cents will take place, bringing the minimum wage rate to $10.85 per hour. On September 15, 2017, a second increase of 30 cents plus an amount based on the 2016 Consumer Price Index (estimated to be 10 cents) will be applied, bringing the minimum wage rate to approximately $11.25.…

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CEO Update - May 2016

Benefit Providers

We recently held meetings with all the benefit providers and reviewed the Early Intervention Program guidelines and performance data.
I’d like to remind members that currently, there are only three benefit providers — CSBT, The Federation Association Benefit Plan and HBT — that have been deemed ‘equivalent’ by both CSSEA and the union bargaining association in our sector. If you are contacted by any benefit provider other than the three noted, please direct them to CSSEA and inform your consultant. For more information, please visit the CSSEA website, using your login credentials to gain access to the Health and Welfare Benefits page.

CSS WorkSafeBC Pilot Project Update

CSSEA, in partnership with The Federation and WSBC and under the auspices of the Innovation and Sustainability Initiative, continues to work with pilot employers on improving injury prevention, return to work practices and improving employers’ rate experiences. The year 1 Interim Pilot Project Report is currently being finalized and will be available on our website. A best practices summary on occupational safety and health and disability management is also being completed. In addition, the pilot is working with WSBC to develop sector-specific resources on injury prevention and return to work.

Detailed pilot project updates can be found on CSSEA’s website or by contacting Satvinder Basran, Project Manager, at 604.601.3127, toll free at 1.800.377.3340 ext. 127 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Awards of Excellence Selection Process Now Underway

The Awards Committee is hard at work reviewing all the nominations received for this year’s Awards of Excellence and will be meeting in Vancouver at the end of the month to shortlist the candidates. Awards will be presented in four categories: Rising Star, Hero, Leader and Legend. Following the compilation of a shortlist, an external judging panel made up of representatives from the private and public sectors will convene to select winners for each category. We thank all who submitted nominations and wish the nominees best of luck.

HSA Dues to Increase in July

CSSEA was notified by the Health Sciences Association (HSA) that, under Article 5 of the Collective Agreement, union dues for employees belonging to HSA are to increase. Those agencies are advised to increase union deductions of gross earnings from 1.60% to 1.85% starting July 15 for HSA employees.

2016 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey Update

Thank you to all those who completed the 2016 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey. I am delighted by the strong early response and encourage those who have not yet completed it to do so before the deadline of May 31, 2016. The survey and User Guides can be accessed on the CSSEA website and completed surveys can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For further information, please contact Eric Peraro at 604.601.3104, toll free at 1.800.377.3340 ext. 104 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or David Lin at 604.601.3132, toll free at 1.800.377.3340 ext. 132 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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2015 Social Services Sector HR Metrics Report

I am pleased to present the 2015 Social Services HR Metrics Report. The report and highlights are available for download from the Social Services Workforce Information System (WFIS), under CSSEA Publications.

The information contained in this report is compiled from data collected via the 2015 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey. We would like to thank you for your participation in the survey which enabled us to produce this and many other valuable reports.

If you have any questions about this report, the survey, or your access to WFIS, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .…

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CEO Update - March 2016

Board and Panel Meeting Update

The Board and Panels met on Monday, March 14th. Highlights of the Board and Panel meetings include the review and discussion of this year’s general wage increases, Economic Stability Dividend (ESD), and Comparability and Anomaly money.

Eric Peraro, Executive Director of Research and Knowledge Management, provided the Panels with a preview of the 2015 Executive Director/CEO Salary Report and HR Metrics Report that will be sent to the membership at the end of March.

CSSEA also informed the Board and Panels that, after lengthy discussions with the Ministry of Health, effective 2017, we will be able to report to HSCIS on behalf of agencies receiving more than $250K from Health provided they complete CSSEA’s annual Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey and grant CSSEA permission to report on their behalf.…

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CEO Update - February 2016

Data Collection

The 2016 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey was recently distributed to members. In order to meet the sector’s responsibilities to PSEC, the deadline to submit the completed survey is May 31, 2016.

Each year, with the assistance of the Sector Data Advisory Committee, the survey is modified in order to make it easier for you to complete. We continue to work with MoH, HEABC and the Health Authorities to avoid the need of double reporting for agencies that receive more than $250K from the Health Sector. We hope 2016 will be the year that agencies will only have to complete the 2016 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey and CSSEA will report the Health Sector Compensation Information System on their behalf.

In addition, we have scheduled a series of orientation sessions across the province to assist members complete the survey and answer any questions that you or your staff may have.…

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CEO Update - January 2016

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a chance to unwind over the holidays and are back reenergized to start the year. 2016 will be an important year and will see, in addition to the Economic Stability Dividend, the first allocation on the comparability money for the sector.

Scheduled Cost Increases in 2016

This is a reminder that per the 2015-2019 collective agreements, there are a number of cost increases occurring this calendar year.

For your convenience, a summary sheet is available on CSSEA’s website. For more information, contact your HRLR Consultant.

New Partnership with HEABC

Starting in 2016 CSSEA will be partnering with HEABC to provide more training opportunities for our members. These will include webinars and regional training sessions. More information on available sessions will be forthcoming in the upcoming weeks.

Computer Assistance Program

The Computer Assistance Program has been an overwhelming success. Since the program began, it has provided just over 125 repurposed computers and IT hardware to member agencies.

Thank you to the Harris & Co, Health Match BC, Healthcare Benefit Trust, Island Métis Family & Community Services Society, and Pacific Blue Cross for supplying used PCs to the program, your generosity is very much appreciated.…

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