GLP | Know Your Contract

Below we review some of the rights of the GLP Collective Agreement and help you interpret them

Collective Agreements: FAQs

 

Processes to Review Decisions

LSO Classification Plan Review and Appeal

LSO Classification Plan Documents

Classification Plan - Licensed Science Officers


Benchmark Notes


Supplementary Notes to the LSO Plan


Using This Page

In 2009, the Professional Employees Association (PEA) and Government of British Columbia's Public Service Agency (PSA) completed an evaluation plan of Licensed Science Officers (LSO).

Below, you will find benchmark jobs as separate files. These files were designed by the BC Government. You can also access the documents on the @Your Service website. You must go to the Classification Services area of the Pay and Benefits section. Under Classification Services is a link entitled Access Bargaining Unit Classification Plans.

Classification Appeal Form 2021


What avenues are available to government licensed professionals who feel that their job classification is inadequate for their responsibilities and job functions?

Article 33.02 of the GLP Master Agreement provides a means for pursuing classification complaints, and having them resolved by a third party if disputes cannot be sorted out with the employer. The classification appeal procedure set out in the master agreement is available to all GLPs — LSOs and others alike. What are the factors members need to consider before initiating a classification appeal?

The first important point to understand is that classification is dictated by positions, not incumbents. Classification is determined by the responsibilities assigned to a job, rather than the personal qualifications an incumbent of that position may happen to bring to that job. Employees have a case for reclassification in only one circumstance — when the functions they are required to perform match those prescribed in a higher classification standard. The challenge in any classification appeal is to succeed at demonstrating that one is functioning at the level described in the target classification standard, rather than one’s present classification. To meet this challenge, it is essential that would-be appellants accomplish three things:

Make themselves familiar with the applicable classification standards;
Understand the key differences between the standards, and
Find a way to convince a neutral third party that they are actually functioning at the higher level.
Classification standards are not the same as job descriptions. Job descriptions set out the particular functions and responsibilities assigned to individual positions in government.

Classification standards differentiate and rank categories of work, each level more responsible or onerous than the level below it. A job description exists (or is supposed to exist) for every public service position, and every position is assessed and ranked under a classification standard. The Licensed Science Officer (LSO) Plan is a classification standard; it distinguishes five different responsibility levels, LSO 1 to 5. Different classification standards apply to psychologists, physiotherapists and pharmacists. Copies of the applicable classification standards are available from the PEA.

When it is clear that one is in a position to pursue a classification appeal, here are the prescribed steps of the appeal procedure, one by one.


Requesting a review of a staffing decision

The Public Service Act provides that in-service candidates who are unsuccessful in a public service competition may request a review of the staffing decision.

The prescribed procedure is set out in the Act and the Review of Staffing Decisions Regulation. PEA staff are available to advise and assist members with the review process. Here is an overview:

Awards and Decisions

Over time, the PEA has won significant awards that ensure members rights. Below you will find some of these significant wins.

LSO

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.

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