Pandemic Resources
PEA Office Closure Extended
The PEA’s Victoria office will remain closed until further notice. Staff will continue to work from home and will remain available to our members via email and phone. You can find PEA staff contact information on our website at pea.org/contact-us.
GLP Pandemic Resources
Please visit the GLP webpage for chapter-specific information regarding the pandemic.
UVic Pandemic Resources
Please visit the UVic webpage for chapter-specific information regarding the pandemic.
Duty to Accommodate
If the risk of COVID-19 has a particular impact on certain members based on their membership in a protected group under the Human Rights Code (such as if a member is immunocompromised, is elderly, is pregnant or possibly if they are in a caregiving relationship with someone who is at high risk) a duty to accommodate may arise.
In this circumstance, a member should consider requesting an accommodation that limits their risk of acquiring the illness. Please connect with a PEA Labour Relations Officer if you are in this situation.
BC Centre for Disease Control
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is the provincial source of information on COVID-19.
BCCDC provides health promotion and prevention services, and diagnostic and treatment services. They work to reduce communicable and chronic disease, preventable injury and environmental health risks. BCCDC also provides analytical and policy support to government and health authorities.
To find health information about COVID-19 for the public and for health care professionals, and to use the self-assessment tool for COVID-19 testing, visit the BCCDC website.
BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 Community Settings
BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 data
BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 for the public
BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 for health care professionals
BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 self-assessment for testing
B.C. Government Support
The province of B.C. is taking steps to contain the spread of COVID-19. There are many programs in place to support British Columbians through these unprecedented times. For information from the B.C. Government on essential services, news and updates, education, child care, business, travel, housing and monthly bills, reduced services and more, visit B.C. Government: B.C.’s response to COVID-19.
B.C. Government, BC’s Restart Plan
The province of B.C. has formed a plan with steps we can all take together to protect each other and ensure that as a province we can bounce back from COVID-19 stronger than before. For information from the B.C. Government on the plan, see BC's Restart Plan.
Further Resources
- Province-wide restrictions
- B.C.'s response to COVID-19
- Worksafe BC: Health and safety responsibilities when working from home
- Worksafe BC: COVID-19 and communicable diseases
- Worksafe BC: Health and safety when working from home
- A human rights approach to proof of vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic
In this section
The PEA was formed in 1974, by a group of professionals working in the public sector. The story goes that the founders of the union mortgaged their houses to fund negotiations of the union’s first collective agreement.
Now, the PEA is BC’s union for professionals. We represent a wide range of professionals including lawyers, foresters, engineers, agrologists, teachers, veterinarians, fundraisers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists program managers, librarians and more.
Our union is led by the PEA Executive. They represent members from across the chapters of the PEA and set the overall vision and direction for our union.
Resources for our members
Navigating a union can sometime be a challenging process. Under this section of the website you will find resources to help you navigate the PEA. In the members section you'll find expense claim reimbursements, information on the PEA's scholarship and bursary program and our grants and donations program.
Collective bargaining and job action resources explain the process of collective bargaining and what to do in the unlikely event of job action.
Local reps can also find resources to help them complete their job more effectively. This includes ways to welcome new members, how to take notes in investigation disciplinary meetings and more.
The heart of our union
The PEA is made up of nine chapters, or groups of members who either work for the same employer or are in the same field of work. Each chapter has an elected executive tasked with running the affairs of the chapter. Each chapter is entitled to representation at the PEA Executive, the governing body of the union.
Our members work for a range of employers: the Province of BC, the University of Victoria, St. Margaret's School, the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, the Oil and Gas Commission, the Law Society of BC, Legal Services Society, the Okangan Regional Library and health authorities across BC.
Professionals need unions now more then ever
Since the 1970’s, when the PEA was formed, our mission has been to ensure our members can work in safe, productive environments and receive fair and reasonable wages and benefits for the valuable work they do. We help individuals and groups of professional workers to understand the challenges they face in their workplaces and some of the solutions available to them.
We work with potential members to become certified as a union and achieve the wages, benefits and respect they deserve.
