To All IBEW members at BC Hydro,

We hope you all enjoyed your summer. As we move into the fall, bargaining with your employer will resume after talks broke off back in June. We want to provide you with an update on our progress along with some context on the broader public sector.

When were we last at the bargaining table?

Your bargaining committee commenced bargaining earlier in the spring. Your bargaining committee met with your employer on May 21-22 and June 3-5. Your employer cancelled the June 18-19 dates citing a lack of a mandate from PSEC.

When will we return to the bargaining table?

Your bargaining committee has dates scheduled for November 5-7, November 18-19, and December 8-10.

Where is MoveUp at with bargaining?

MoveUp has not yet commenced bargaining. They are scheduled to begin bargaining in October and have secured the following dates: October 15-16, November 25-27, and December 2-3.

Why is bargaining taking so long?

Historically, bargaining with BC Hydro has been a prolonged process, often taking up to a year after the expiry of the collective agreement to reach a settlement. The one notable exception was during the 2010 Olympics, when heightened pressure on the government led to a quicker resolution. In this current round of bargaining, BC Hydro has been unwilling to engage in discussions on monetary items without first receiving a mandate from the Public Sector Employers’ Council (PSEC).

How has our bargaining committee been preparing?

To ensure your bargaining committee is fully prepared, the Business Manager arranged for the team to participate in Collective Bargaining training provided by the IBEW Canada Education Department. In addition, we’ve utilized the IBEW Research Department to conduct market research and compile comparative data from utilities and contractors across North America. At the request of your Executive Board, the Business Manager also engaged an external firm to conduct a cost-of-living study, examining current local market conditions.

How were proposals developed?

Your bargaining committee has met regularly to develop proposals that reflect the priorities of our membership for this round of negotiations. We’ve considered the feedback you provided through surveys, emails, and phone calls. Based on your input, we’ve crafted proposals that address the issues that matter most to you.

What will we be asking for in our proposals?

We are seeking improvements across all areas of your collective agreement, with particular emphasis on wages, benefits, and other monetary items, improved contracting out language, and stronger contract administration language. While your employer has brought a moderate list of proposals to the table, we want to assure you that we will not accept any cutbacks.

What’s the temperature like this round of bargaining?

Given what’s happening with other public sector unions during bargaining, we anticipate that this round of negotiations may be among the most challenging our members have faced in some time. Despite this, your bargaining committee remains confident, committed, and determined to secure a fair contract on your behalf.

Does PSEC and the BCGEU strike impact us?

The Public Sector Employers' Council sets the wage mandate for all public sector bargaining across the province. This is why all public sector unions are closely watching to see which union reaches an agreement first and what the monetary framework will look like. The ongoing BCGEU strike highlights the growing pressure at the bargaining table, as their negotiations have reached an impasse.

We sincerely appreciate your engagement and continued support throughout this process.

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Committee:

Nick Brigden, Shop Steward

Leon Berard, Shop Steward

Rod Russell, Power Line Technician

Sean Walker, Unit 4 Vice Chair

JM Lessard, Electrician and Area Planner Schedule

Jenny Short, Unit 6 Vice Chair

Jag Aujla, Assistant Business Manager

Rob Munro, Assistant Business Manager

Cody Gatzke, Business Manager

Kevin Duchak, President