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Privacy Policy
The Professional Employees Association is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, accuracy and security of members’ personal information.
The Association is committed to complying with the British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). The purpose of the Act is to govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by organizations in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal information and the need of organizations to collect, use or disclose personal information for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.
Personal Information
Personal information is any information that would identify a member as an individual; it does not include information that is commonly seen on a business card that would enable an individual to be contacted at a place of business.
Personal information defined under PIPA includes, for example:
- Home address and phone number
- Medical and health information
- Social insurance number
- Birth date
- Use of Personal Information
The Association collects personal information in order to fulfill its role as the legal bargaining agent for members and to provide membership services, including but not limited to the following:
- maintain a complete record of membership in the union;
- maintain communication with members and respond to their inquires;
- investigate and settle grievances, appeals and claims;
- represent members with respect to employment under collective agreements;
- collect and manage dues and assessments;
- verify eligibility for strike pay and benefits;
- provide information about membership programs and benefits;
- administer the business of the union such as chapter business, convention and course registration, correspondence and research (including member surveys);
- provide electronic and web-based information services (e.g. address changes, email bulletins).
Personal information may be collected, used or disclosed for any of the identified purposes set out above. The Association will not collect, use or disclose personal information except for the purpose of acting as bargaining agent and providing membership services unless the Association has obtained additional consent from the member(s).
Protection of Personal Information
The Association is committed to protecting members’ personal information from unauthorized use or disclosure. This commitment means:
- Members will be advised of the purposes for the collection of information;
- Members’ personal information will be used only for the purposes identified;
- Members’ personal information will not be disclosed without permission unless required by law;
- Appropriate security measures are employed to ensure only authorized individuals have access to members’ personal information;
- Personal information will be kept only as long as required;
- When personal information is no longer required it will be destroyed in a confidential and secure fashion.
Third Party Access
There may be instances where the Association provides certain personal information to a third party.
Where personal information is provided to a third party, the Association will require that the third party undertake to abide by the Association’s privacy policy and secure any personal information from unauthorized or unintended use.
Personal information may be sent to another jurisdiction for processing and that while the information is in another jurisdiction it may be accessed by the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities.
Privacy Officer
The Privacy Officer is responsible for ensuring the PEA’s compliance with this policy and PIPA.
Members may direct any questions, concerns or complaints to the Privacy Officer. Requests for access or correction to personal information must be made in writing and provide sufficient detail to identify the personal information in question. Response to such requests will be within thirty (30) days. If, for some reason, the Association is unable to respond within this timeline, the member will be advised.
If the Privacy Officer is unable to resolve the concern, members may also write to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia.
Contact information for the PEA’s Privacy Officer:
Privacy Officer
Professional Employees Association
505-1207 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC V8W 2E7
Phone: (250) 385-8791 or 1-800-779-7736
Fax: (250) 385-6629
