Our Story

2021

2021-02-26

Okanagan Regional Librarians (ORL) members vote 100% in favour of the tentative agreement effective January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023.

2021-04-16

86% per cent of SMS members voted to ratify a 20-month collective agreement extension.

2021-04-29

The Fourteenth PEA Convention is held fully virtually for the first time ever due to the mandated provincial health orders at the end of March 2021. Fifty-eight voting delegates attend.

Shawna LaRade is re-elected as President.

Brent Hird, FMA member, is recognized with the PEA Service Award for his outstanding commitment and service to the union.

Members pass a resolution to hold Conventions triennially.

2021-04-29

HESU members take job action on September 3, 2021 after members voted 83% in favour of a strike. This action followed several months of negotiations and 17 days at the bargaining table. Members are without a contract since April 2, 2021.

2021-09-15

HESU members ratify the tentative agreement. The HESU agreement is effective April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024.

2020

2020-02-14

90% of voting members supported the LSS tentative agreement for October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2022.

2020-03-13

The May 1 & 2, 2020 Education Conference is cancelled due to concern over the spread of COVID-19 and members’ health and safety.

2020-09-02

95% of voting members support the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) tentative agreement effective July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022.

2020-12-18

75% of all Family Maintenance Agency (FMA) members vote in support to ratify the FMA tentative agreement effective April 1, 201 – March 31, 2022.

2019

2019-01-25

73% of voting members supported the tentative agreement for LSL members for January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021. 

2019-02-15

With a vote of 82% in favour of the agreement, union members covered by the multi-union Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) collective agreement accepted a three-year contract. 

2019-02-25

92.3% of voting members supported the GLP tentative agreement effective April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2022.

2019-05-04

Sixty-five voting delegates attend the PEA’s Thirteenth Biennial Convention. Shawna Larade is elected President.

The PEA awards Sheryl Karras, UVic member, with the PEA Service Award for her outstanding service to the union.

2019-10-15

100% of voting LSS members voted in favour of a strike.

LSS issues formal 72-hour strike notice on October 28, 2019 with a one-day walkout on November 1st. Members picket LSS headquarters in downtown Vancouver.

The Justice 4 Justice Workers campaign is in progress to support members working for the Legal Services Society and fighting for a fair and equitable collective agreement.

2018

2018-06-28

HESU members vote 82% in favour of the collective agreement for April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2021.

2017

2017-11-16

HESU members vote 51.4% against accepting the proposal to extend their current collective agreement to March 31, 2020.

2017-09-29

The Supreme Court of BC today declines a BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) appeal and instead sided with the PEA in upholding a 2016 BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) decision that the raiding of PEA Health Sciences Chapter psychologists by the BCNU was inappropriate. The court also awards the PEA costs – the BCNU will have to pay a portion of our legal fees for the appeal.

2017-05-23

The group of approximately 150 workers voted on May 23, 2017 by a large margin to join the PEA. The chapter includes organizers, researchers, communications officers, representatives, legal counsel and others. The HESU staff were formally members of UNIFOR before having their charter revoked.

2017-05-12

The PEA awards Sheldon Martell, GLP member, with the PEA Service Award for his significant contributions to the union.

2017-04-14

ORL members vote 95% in favour of ratifying a two-year collective agreement for January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2020.

2016

2016-05-20

PEA members vote to maintain affiliation in the BC Federation of Labour and to join the Canadian Labour Congress, affiliated through the Professional Institutue of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).  The vote was 85% in favour.

2016-04-11

The Labour Relations Board rejects all of the BCNU arguments relating to the raid of HSP chapter psychologists and dismisses the application.

2016-04-08

SMS members vote 96% in favour of ratifying a five-year collective agreement for July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2021.

2016-03-04

LSL members vote 63% in favour of ratifying a three-year collective agreement for January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018.

2016-01-12

The Labour Relations Board grants the application by the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation under sections 37 and 142 of the Labour Relations Code. PGSD become members of the BC Teachers’ Federation and Prince George District Teachers’ Association.

2015

2015-12-12

PEA receives notice that the BC Nurses’ Union is raiding psychologists in the HSP chapter.

2015-05-07

GLP members vote 84% in favour of ratifying a five-year collective agreement for April 1, 2014 – March 31, 2019.

2015-04-18

Forty-eight voting delegates attend the PEA’s Eleventh Biennial Convention. Frank Kohlberger begins his third full term as President. Vincent Connor and Joanne Montgomery are named as recipients of the PEA Service Award.

2015-03-27

FMA members vote to ratify a tentative agreement. Of the 100% of members that vote, 77% vote in favour of ratification. The agreement includes enrolment in the Public Service Pension Plan, an 8.4% wage increase over the term of the agreement and opportunity to travel out-of-province for professional development.

2015-01-23

93% of voting OGC members approve a new five-year collective agreement ending June 30, 2019.

2015-01-15

LSS Members vote 100% in favour of a collective agreement for term of October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2019.

2014

2014-12-08

PEA launches a new campaign, BC Priorities. The advertising and website point to the cuts to post-secondary education, the impacts it has on universities and colleges in BC, and the areas where the BC government has prioritized spending money.

2014-03-21

The PEA launches Endangered Experts, a campaign about the elimination of BC’s government scientists and engineers. The campaign highlights the risk to public safety, BC economy and the environment as a result of the drastic reduction of Government Licensed Professionals in the public service.

2014-02-28

ORL members vote 100% in favour of a collective agreement for the term of January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016.

2014-02-18

The PEA marks forty years since its formation in 1974. A new publication, Duty with Dignity is released, which highlights the challenges and successes of the Association from its founding to present day.

2014-01-31

Sixty-six delegates attend the PEA’s fourth Education Conference. The theme of the conference is Shaping the Future by Reflecting on our Past and focuses on member engagement, the state of bargaining and income inequality. Past-presidents are present to celebrate PEA’s history and to unveil the 40th Anniversary Video.

2013

2013-12-23

HSPBA members vote 76% in favour of a five-year collective agreement with the HEABC ending March 31, 2019. This outcome does not reflect the 81% of PEA members who voted to reject the deal.

2013-06-26

SMS chapter members vote 57% in favour of a four-year collective agreement.

2013-06-21

The PEA is officially affiliated with the BC Federation of Labour.

2013-05-27

PEA members vote electronically for the first time in a referendum on whether to affiliate with the BC Federation of Labour for a three-year trial period. 77% of the voting members are favour of the trial affiliation.

2013-05-13

LSS chapter members vote 75% in favour of ratifying a two year-collective agreement ending September 30, 2014.

2013-04-12

Sixty-four delegates attend the PEA’s Tenth Biennial Convention. Frank Kohlberger, begins his second full term as President. The PEA recognizes members Trudy Goold and Tom Gore with PEA Service Awards.

2013-03-28

With the passage of Bill 8, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2013, the BC government served notice to the PEA that Forensic Psychiatric Services and Oak Bay Lodge will move from the Public Service to the Health Authorities effective June 1, 2013. The Lodge at Broadmead would also no longer be part of the Public Service but would become an independent employer.

2013-03-06

The HSPBA, which includes HSP chapter members, vote 83% in favour of ratifying a collective agreement ending March 31, 2014. A mediator was brought in after two days of rotating job action. 

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

2000-12-06

PEA's certification for St. Margaret's School is varied by The B.C. Labour Relations Board to include non-tutorial staff.

2000-08-31

The B.C. Labour Relations Board certifies the PEA as bargaining agent for 50 teachers employed by St. Margaret's School in Victoria.

2000-05-04

Sixty-four delegates attend the PEA's First Annual Convention, held over two days in Richmond. Tom Volkers is re-elected PEA President, making him the first President to be elected by delegates to convention.

1999

1999-07-05

PEA members vote 81 per cent in favour of constitutional changes designed to increase participation in the union's decision-making processes. The new PEA Constitution and By-laws have the effect of replacing the Annual General Meeting with a delegated convention and altering the structure of the Association Executive.

1999-04-12

Twenty representatives from PEA chapters and the PEA Executive participate in a Structure Conference to discuss changes to the Association's governance structure. On May 4, the conference unanimously endorses a package of constitutional amendments that would replace the Annual General Meeting with a delegated convention.

1999-03-31

Alan MacLeod, the Association's second Executive Director retires after 23 years with the PEA. Senior Staff Officer Doug Hensby takes over as Executive Director.

1999-01-12

PEA members participate in their first ever strike action when mediated talks for a new paramedical professional collective agreement break down. A special mediator appointed by the Minister of Labour releases his report recommending terms of settlement to end the dispute on January 26. The deal results in significant concessions for PEA paramedical professionals employed by regional health boards and community health service societies.

1998

1998-10-27

Tom Volkers, Forester, is elected the PEA's thirteenth President.

1998-08-03

The multi-union community health services and support bargaining association reaches a tentative settlement with the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC). The deal covers more than 14,000 workers, including 150 PEA members at Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service.

1998-07-29

The B.C. Legislature passes Bill 50, an amendment to the Public Service Labour Relations Act, limiting the GLP unit to those professions that were subject to licensing as of July 1, 1998. As a result, any government-employed professionals who are subject to new licensing in future will remain in the BCGEU.

1998-06-27

PEA members vote 94 per cent in favour of constitutional changes designed to open up the Executive election process and promote better participation. The changes, recommended by an Electoral Review Committee established by a resolution passed at the last Annual General Meeting, include elimination of the old “no-plumping” rule that required members to vote for exactly nine candidates. The new rules require that the Executive comprise members from at least three bargaining units.

1998-03-12

Negotiations get underway for a new collective agreement for 10,000 health-sector paramedical professionals. The PEA joins five other unions in the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association on behalf of nearly a hundred psychologists, physiotherapists and others transferred from the Ministry of Health to new regional and community health employers.

1998-02-10

The PEA and nine other unions commence bargaining for a new contract on behalf of 14,000 health-sector services and support workers. The PEA's constituency is 150 staff employed with the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service.

1997

1997-07-24

The B.C. Legislature approves Bill 28, the Health Authorities Amendment Act, restoring the PEA's right to represent employees of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service. After two years in the Health Sciences Association paramedical professionals vote to remain with HSA, while support and services staff opt to return to PEA. On November 7 the PEA is again certified to represent GVMHS employees.

1996

1996-09-17

PEA and the University of Victoria settle their first collective agreement after nine months of bargaining, and only 36 hours before PEA members were to have participated in a strike vote.

1996-06-19

Only a week after negotiations began, the Association settles its first collective agreement with Themis Program Management, operator of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program.

1995

1995-10-27

The PEA gets its second certification in as many months, as the Labour Relations Board grants us the authority to represent 15 lawyers working in the provincial Family Maintenance Enforcement Program.

1995-09-07

The B.C. Labour Relations Board certifies the PEA as bargaining agent for 400 academic and administrative professionals employed by the University of Victoria. The UVic group is the Association's second-largest bargaining unit.

1995-07-28

The Health Sector Labour Relations Regulation is passed, depriving PEA and several other unions of representation rights in the B.C. health sector. As a result, PEA certification for employees of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society is handed over to two surviving unions, the Health Sciences Association and the Hospital Employees Union.

1994

1994-04-28

As a result of amalgamation of the George Pearson Centre with another hospital operated by the Western Rehabilitation Society, an agreement between PEA and the Health Sciences Association results in the PEA's 12 member bargaining unit becoming part of a larger unit represented by HSA.

1993

1993-11-15

Kathryn Danchuk, Forester, is elected twelfth President of the PEA.

1993-10-21

The union establishes a scholarship for PEA members, spouses, and children.

1993-07-02

After taking a strike vote PEA members employed by the Legal Services Society manage with a mediator's help to settle their sixth collective agreement with their employer.

1991

1991-06-17

The PEA concludes a pay equity agreement with the B.C. Government providing salary parity for working-level Physiotherapists and Pharmacists with working-level employees in the Licensed Science Officer classifications.

1990

1990-12-21

A long-awaited arbitration decision favours the PEA: the arbitrator rules that 150 contractor psychologists working in the Ministry of Health are in fact employees within the PEA bargaining unit.

1990-09-17

Rob Gordon, Range Agrologist, is appointed eleventh PEA President after Carolyn McCool resigns to accept an appointment with a non-PEA employer.

1989

1989-11-14

Carolyn McCool, a Lawyer with the Legal Services Society, is elected tenth PEA President. She is the first person from outside of the GLP unit to be elected President.

1989-04-03

Government professionals vote 85% in favour of striking to support demands for a new collective agreement. Association negotiators soon settle a new master agreement, the PEA's seventh, for Government Licensed Professionals, thereby avoiding a strike.

1988

1988-09-14

Geoff Holter, the Association's first and only Executive Director resigns and is replaced by Senior Staff Officer Alan MacLeod.

1988-07-20

PEA negotiators settle a first agreement for librarian members of the Okanagan Regional Library.

1988-06-12

As a result of proclamation of Bill 20, the Teaching Profession Act, over 40 government-employed teachers acquire professional status and are moved from the BCGEU into the PEA's government licensed professional bargaining unit.

1988-01-27

The PEA is certified to represent professional librarians of the Okanagan Regional Library Board, the Association's sixth bargaining unit.

1988-01-12

The PEA Executive votes to endorse and join the B.C. Federation of Labour boycott of Bill 19.

1987

1987-11-17

Dr. Judith Adelman, Registered Psychologist, is elected ninth President of the PEA.

1987-06-12

Lawyer members of the Legal Services bargaining unit vote eighty-six per cent in favour of striking to support demands for a new collective agreement. Soon after, lawyers reach agreement on their third new contract thus averting a strike with the Legal Services Society.

1987-04-02

The B.C. Government introduces Bill 19, Industrial Relations Reform Act, which removes or weakens a range of collective bargaining rights.

1986

1986-11-20

Mike Wyeth is re-elected to his fifth term as PEA President.

1985

1985-09-29

The PEA signs its first collective agreement for Pearson Hospital members.

1985-06-30

Cedar Lodge closes its doors due to a cessation of Government funding. As a result PEA members are permanently laid off and the Association loses a bargaining unit for the first time.

1984

1984-11-06

The Association concludes a first agreement for members of the Prince George School District.

1984-09-27

The PEA and the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society sign a first agreement for members of the GVMHSS Chapter following a tentative settlement concluded at the bargaining table.

1984-07-06

The Labour Relations Board grants the PEA its sixth certification for licensed professional employees of Pearson Hospital in Vancouver. Pearson Hospital had been a B.C. public service institution, but was "privatized" by the B.C. Government.

1984-03-22

The Association is certified for its fifth bargaining unit, the professional employee group employed by the Prince George School District.

1983

1983-11-13

Operation Solidarity and the B.C. Government settle their differences; escalating strikes end; the Government withdraws and modifies some of its controversial legislation.

1983-09-28

The first collective agreement is concluded for members of the Cedar Lodge bargaining unit.

1983-07-26

The Association is certified for its fourth bargaining unit, employees of the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society, an agency addressing mental health needs in the Vancouver area.

1983-07-07

The B.C. Government introduces legislation removing public service bargaining rights. The Association joins an umbrella organization opposing the legislation, "Operation Solidarity."

1983-04-26

The Association is certified to bargain for employees of the Cedar Lodge Centre in Cobble Hill, a residential treatment centre for learning-disabled children. It is the Association's third bargaining unit.

1982

1982-11-02

Michael Wyeth, Forester, is elected eighth President of the Association.

1982-03-26

The membership approves constitutional initiatives increasing the Executive from seven to nine members and facilitating organization of new bargaining units.

1981

1981-11-03

David Gilbert is re-elected President.

1981-10-20

The first collective agreement for the Legal Services bargaining unit is signed, following a settlement concluded at the bargaining table.

1981-06-16

David Gilbert, Forester, becomes the seventh President as a result of the promotion out of the bargaining unit of Al Carver.

1981-03-16

The Association's second Public Service strike vote produces an 88% strike mandate. Soon after, the fourth Public Service Master Agreement is signed in Victoria, at the bargaining table, the first master agreement concluded without the assistance of a provincial mediator.

1981-02-09

The Association is certified to bargain for Legal Services Society lawyers throughout British Columbia, the Professional Employees Association's second bargaining unit.

1980

1980-10-28

Al Carver is re-elected President, the first President to be re-elected for a second term.

1980-03-25

The membership approves constitutional amendments enabling organization of professional bargaining units outside the provincial Public Service. The British Columbia Government Professional Employees Association becomes, simply, the Professional Employees Association.

1979

1979-11-05

Al Carver, Accountant, is elected sixth Association President.

1979-10-16

95% of voting members in the public service bargaining unit approve the Association's first strike mandate. Shortly thereafter, the third Public Service Master Agreement is signed, again following a mediated settlement. A strike is therefore avoided.

1978

1978-11-07

Gary Sutherland, Forester, succeeds as fifth Association President.

1978-01-01

As a result of the proclamation of the British Columbia Psychologists Act the bargaining unit is increased by the addition of some seventy Registered Psychologists.

1977

1977-11-08

Gerry Duffield, Engineer, is elected fourth President.

1976

1976-11-01

David Armit, Forester, is elected third President.

1976-04-01

The Association argues its first member grievance before an arbitrator and wins, in Victoria.

1975

1975-06-20

The first Master Agreement is signed in Victoria following a settlement reached in mediation.

1975-04-29

Ron Waterfield, Architect, is elected second Association President.

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1974

1974-05-03

The Association is certified by the British Columbia Labour Relations Board to represent the licensed professional bargaining unit.

1974-02-18

The British Columbia Government Professional Employees Association is founded at the Empress Hotel, Victoria, following an organizing drive which resulted in sixty per cent of the eligible professionals signed into membership. Derek Parkes, a Department of Highways Engineer, is elected first President.

1973

1973-11-07

Bill 75, Public Service Labour Relations Act, establishing a licensed professional bargaining unit, receives third reading in the British Columbia Legislature.

1972

1972-12-31

The Higgins Commission on Public Service Employer-Employee relations proposes separate bargaining unit status for licensed professionals, based on recommendations from Public Service Engineers, Foresters and others.

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