Sharing Community Social Services Stories at the Bargaining Table

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Community Social Services Bargaining Update

Update from the third week of Community Social Services bargaining

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) opened the third week of bargaining by recognizing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Memorial March, which occurred on Monday February 14 in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. Many HEU members take part in this march every year to honour those lost to the violence of colonization and to urge government to take meaningful action to prevent further harm.

The CSSBA then carried forward discussions on substantive non-monetary topics, and continued to find common ground with the employers committee. Members of the negotiating committee also shared powerful stories about how they and their fellow members have been impacted working through the pandemic on the front lines; supporting their families, communities, and individuals in need. These stories were personal and demonstrated the challenges that community social services workers have faced over the last two years. The employers committee listened and acknowledged the experiences and frustrations that CSS members shared.

The tone of the negotiations continues to be positive and collaborative. The CSSBA, including HEU representatives at the table, remain committed to bringing forward the priorities of all CSS members.