BCER — British Columbia Energy Regulator

The B.C. Labour Relations Board certified the PEA as the bargaining agent for professionals at the British Columbia Energy Regulator following its devolution from the provincial government in October of 2006.

At Your Fingertips

Need Help?

Your Labour Relations Officer is:

Rhiannon Bray

Primary BCER Collective Agreement Documents

A new collective agreement for BCER members is not yet available. Please review the expired collective agreement below.

BCER 2019 - 2022 Collective Agreement

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BCER Wage Grid

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BCER Executive

BCER is now its own PEA chapter and no longer part of the GLP.

Sean Babulic, Executive

Ryan Rolick, Executive

Stu Venables, Executive

Bushra Waheed, Executive

BCER Annual General Meeting

The first AGM of the BCER Chapter was held November 21, 2023 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. PST via Zoom.

Minutes will be posted soon.

BCER News

BCER Bargaining Update: Tentative Deal and Ratification Vote

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Dear BCER members,

The bargaining committee is very happy to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached. Highlights from the agreement include:

GLP Constitution

ARTICLE I — Name

The name of the organization shall be the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) Chapter of the Professional Employees Association.

ARTICLE IV — Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the BCER Chapter shall consist of no less than four members: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary-Treasurer and at least one Director-at-Large; each position elected in odd-numbered years.

All Directors are elected for two-year terms except for those elected by by-election.

The BCER Chapter shall rotate its entitlement to appoint an Association Executive member with other Association Chapters as determined by the Association Executive, on an annual basis. When it is entitled to do so, the Executive Committee shall appoint by motion an Association Executive member from among the members of the Executive Committee. The term of appointment shall be one year, effective at the close of the Association Convention, and effective on June 1 in non-Convention years.

The Chair shall preside over BCER Chapter meetings and, in their absence, the Vice-Chair shall preside. The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain BCER Chapter minutes and records and be responsible for safekeeping of any BCER Chapter funds.

A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be three members, and shall have the authority to take such measures in carrying out BCER Chapter objectives as are consistent with the Professional Employees Association Constitution.

Should a vacancy occur on the Executive Committee, the remaining members may appoint a replacement from the BCER Chapter membership for the remainder of the term of office.

Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be by majority vote. Executive Committee meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VII — Meetings

There shall be an Annual General Meeting not later than December 1 of each year.

Notice of the Chapter Annual General Meeting shall be delivered to each member not less than seven days before the meeting is to be held.

Other general meetings can be called by the Executive Committee, or, on a written request from at least two members. When a meeting is called by at least two members, it shall take place within one calendar month of the request being received by the Executive.

A quorum in any general meeting, including the Annual Meeting, shall be not less than 33 percent of the membership.

Except as herein provided, BCER Chapter meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Notice of meeting shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting.

ARTICLE II — Objectives

BC Energy Regulator (BCER) Chapter objectives are:

To function as a chapter of the Professional Employees Association (PEA).

To provide a forum for the discussion of employment issues.
To determine the needs of BCER members regarding compensation and working conditions and to assist the PEA in negotiating collective agreements covering members of the BCER Chapter.
To carry out other functions consistent with the PEA Constitution as may be desirable for the welfare of BCER Chapter members.

ARTICLE V — Duties of the Executive

The Chair will preside over BCER Chapter meetings and, in their absence, the Vice Chair will preside. The Chair will have overall responsibility for the general and active management of the business of the Chapter and will enforce and abide by the provisions of the Chapter Constitution and By-Laws.

The Vice Chair will assume duties as may be determined by the Chair or Chapter Executive. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair will exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Chair.

The Secretary-Treasurer will prepare and disseminate notices and agendas of all Executive and Chapter meetings, keep an accurate record of all Executive and Chapter meetings, act as Parliamentarian at all Chapter meetings, act as Archivist for all Chapter matters, and assume other duties as may be determined by the Executive.

ARTICLE VIII — Adoption and Amendment of the Constitution

This Constitution shall come into effect when approved at the initial membership meeting. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of BCER Chapter voting members.

Adopted November 21, 2023

ARTICLE III — Membership

Membership shall be open to all employees who are members of the bargaining unit at BC Energy Regulator or its successor for whom the PEA is certified.

ARTICLE VI — Executive and Delegate Elections

The Executive Committee shall request an expression of interest from members who may be interested in joining the BCER Executive Committee no later than 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Nominations may be put forward to the Executive Committee to the PEA Office by any members of the BCER Chapter. The Chapter Executive shall prepare a list of candidates who have signified that they are willing to stand for Executive office. Nominations may also be put forward during the Annual General Meeting.

The Executive shall put the list of standing candidates to the general membership for their vote during the Annual General Meeting. Voting shall be conducted through electronic, paper, or verbal means. Newly elected members of the Chapter Executive shall assume office at the close of the Chapter Annual General Meeting.

The Chair shall prepare a list of candidates for delegate(s) to the Convention of the Association who have signified that they are willing to represent the chapter at convention. Normally, BCER Chapter shall be represented at convention by a member of the Executive Committee and a member-at-large. Expressions of interest may be put forward to the Chair by any members of the BCER Chapter.

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.

The Professional | Volume 48 Issue 1

The Professional is the PEA's award-winning, quarterly magazine for members.

The Spring 2022 issue takes a deep dive into the work of GLP members and their work during provincial emergencies.

Read the latest issue

The PEA was formed in 1974 to represent licensed professionals in the BC Public Service. Since then the organization has grown to include a wide range of professionals from across BC. Find our more about our governance, staff and strategic direction.