PEA Virtual Biennial Convention: April 29 & 30, 2021

The call for expressions of interest is now closed. Final PEA Delegates were confirmed by each Chapter Executive.

To be placed on a waiting list, please contact us.

Accessibility

Our accessibility practices

Convention 2021 will be hosted online using LUMI with Zoom.

The PEA is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environments for all interested members. We offer the following information so that you can decide for yourselves if our events are accessible to you or which events might be best for your participation.

We are actively working on improving access for people with a variety of disabilities. We have worked with Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods to do accessibility audits of our online events. We are working on incorporating some of their recommendations. We are open to hearing about how to improve access for you. If you have suggestions, please contact Brett Harper.

We do, however, have limitations, including funding, venues, and staffing, and recognize that we are not able to incorporate all-access recommendations. We will remain committed to improving our events and being upfront about what you can expect from our events. Please watch this space for advanced event details.

Our accessibility practices:

Closed captioning: Convention 2021 will include closed captioning.
Schedule breaks: Breaks are scheduled frequently in order for people to recharge. A more detailed schedule of event days will be available in the weeks before the event.
Materials: All materials will be distributed prior to Convention.
Muted Participants: All non-speakers will be muted to limit background noises.

If you require ASL interpretation at the event, please contact Toshie Arakawa a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide this service; however, we will make every attempt to accommodate the request.

Something else we're missing? Please do not hesitate to reach out with any other accommodations you may require to participate!

Convention Program

The program will be available to delegates in March 2021.

Bullying and Harrassment

Bullying, discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, are not acceptable or tolerated in the PEA workplace or for any PEA organized event in any setting. Please read the full Bullying and Harrassment Policy Statement here.

Agenda

Convention Day I: April 29
New Times:12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Convention Day II: April 30
New Times: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Convention Committees

Chapters will confirm their delegates in February. If you are interested in volunteer on a convention committee, please indicate the committee with your expression of interest.

The Ways and Means, Credentials, Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Resolutions Committee are appointed in February. Work is via teleconference prior to, or during the convention. Click here for details on the committees.

Convention Information

Election of Table Officers

The election of table officers (President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer) will be held at Convention. Position Descriptions and Nomination Form for candidates.

The deadline for nominations was March 1, 2021.

Candidates for Table Officer positions may be nominated at any time prior to convention or from the floor during the proceedings. Nominations received past March 1, 2021 will not be included in the convention package.

Resolutions

Resolutions can have a direct impact on how the PEA operates. Members may submit resolutions to convention which, if adopted, result in changes to the Constitution & Bylaws or guide the actions of the Association Executive.

The deadline for Resolutions was March 1, 2021

SUBMIT YOUR RESOLUTION HERE

Resolutions Guide

What are resolutions?

They are motions or proposals submitted to Convention, urging a policy or a course of action that will guide the chapter in the coming months or years.

Who may submit a resolution?

A member may submit resolutions provided that the member and at least one other member of the Association sign or confirm support through email or other virtual means for each resolution. The Association Executive or a chapter executive may also submit its own resolutions. A resolution can be removed from consideration by convention if the submitting member and all signers of the resolution agree, in writing or through email or other virtual means, to have the resolution removed from further consideration. This must be done 45 days prior to convention.

What’s the proper format for resolutions?

One or more “WHEREAS” clauses, explaining WHY the proposal is being made (this part of the resolution is not voted on); and
One or more “THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED” clauses, i.e., the proposal itself, which is what the assembly actually votes on.

Members submitting resolutions are encouraged to ensure that the wording and intent of the resolution is clear and unambiguous. Each resolution should deal with one specific topic or proposal. Rather than mixing or combining topics, members are encouraged to submit multiple resolutions.

What happens to resolutions after they have been submitted?

The Resolutions Committee, comprised of four appointed members, the Association's First Vice-president [chair], one other Association Executive member, and two convention delegates will meet prior to convention to consider each resolution submitted to convention.The committee shall be empowered to combine like resolutions or, amend for clarity. and/or replace with substitute resolutions. The Resolutions Committee will make a recommendation on each resolution, substitute or composite resolution to the convention delegates. Members who have submitted resolutions to convention will be advised of the date of the Resolutions Committee meeting and be provided with an opportunity to consult with the committee on the resolution(s) they have submitted by conference call.

What is the deadline for resolutions?

The deadline is March 1, 2021.

What if I miss the deadline for submitting resolutions?

A resolution, except a resolution to amend the constitution, may be submitted from the floor of the convention if two-thirds of the delegates present, and voting, vote to admit it.

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 46 Issue 4

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

The December 2020 to January 2021 issue includes a look into the work of BC's provincial apiarist.

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.