Roughly 500 Prince George community-based social workers - and the thousands of clients they serve - have averted a service disruption after their union struck a tentative deal with employer agencies Monday.
The deal for the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) comes after nearly 22 months of negotiations after the previous contract expired in March 2010.
"The good news here is that the members were in a position to strike since [Aug. 8]," said union spokesperson Oliver Rohlfs. "This last-minute deal is something of a relief."
The two-year deal still has to be ratified by union membership, a process which could be completed by the end of September, said Rohlfs. The union bargaining association has unanimously recommended an approval of the settlement.
"It takes a bit of time," he said. "Members have been told to expect details next week."
The union represents employees in 220 agencies across the province who work in child care, employment and housing support, specialized services for First Nations and immigrants, substance abuse and addiction-related services, support for women dealing with violence and more.
Locally, AiMHi employs the lion's share of BCGEU social service workers, with about 410 union members.
"That's virtually all of our staff who do front-line delivery," said executive director Bill Fildes. "They're a really great group of people."
Other organizations with BCGEU membership include the Association Advocating for Women and Children, Northern John Howard Society and the Elizabeth Fry Society.
After a May vote to set a strike mandate of 82 per cent, the union set up essential service levels across the province to prepare for potential job action.
That meant anything outside the ensuring the health and safety of clients - such as activities or outings at a group home - could have been affected.
The tentative agreement improves job security and fair work practices as well as approved a $600,000 retraining grant for workers.
"This agreement is welcome as it offers important improvement for workers who support children, women, adults with developmental disabilities and other vulnerable members of our communities," said James Vavalluzzo, chair of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association, in a statement.
