Tentative deal reached with unionized workers at Community Living BC

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s government says it has reached a tentative two-year deal with unionized employees working at an agency that delivers services to adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Ministries of Social Development and Finance say the agreement is with about 350 members of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union who are working at Community Living BC.

The deal includes a modest wage hike, which the government says will be funded through community living’s existing budget.

Members must now ratify the agreement.

Tentative deals have also been reached recently between the government and other BCGEU members, as well as with nurses, residents who are training to become physicians and support staff at two research universities.

Earlier this year, the government boosted funding to Community Living BC by $40 million after coming under criticism from the public and even two backbenchers about practices at the agency.