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Join the Professional Employees Association
The PEA is a union for professionals. Among us are lawyers, foresters, librarians, teachers, engineers and university staff. Because we specialize in representing professionals, we put your unique education, accreditation, skills and training at the forefront.
Interested in joining our union? Contact us
today for a confidential conversation.
Confidential Membership Inquiry
higher wages for unionized workers over non-unionized workers.
of union members have access to a workplace pension.
lower critical injury claims by unionized workers.
You have the legal right to join or form a union. Your job is protected by the BC Labour Relations Code.
How to join the PEA
- Contact us in confidence for more information. We may be the perfect fit for you and your colleagues.
- When you’re ready to move forward, we’ll guide you through the process. Step 2 includes signing a membership card and holding a secret ballot vote with your colleagues to join the PEA.
- The PEA will work with you and your co-workers to design your new collective agreement—your workplace contract that will outline wages, benefits, respect and job security.
Benefits of membership in the PEA
Representing professionals is our specialty. Our members typically have at least one degree and perform highly specialized work, often advising management and making decisions that impact the security and well-being of others.
We understand you have unique needs and obligations in your profession. You have responsibilities—like paying association fees and following your professional code—and you might have additional requirements—like liability insurance.
Your professional needs will guide us to represent you with integrity and intellect. Our work for you will provide a strong foundation, allowing you to focus on your profession and the work you value.
Common problems we can help you solve
I lack job security and salary protection
As a PEA member you have a collective agreement—a legal contract—that protects your wages, benefits and working conditions.
There is inconsistent treatment in my workplace
Your employer follows clear documentation about fairness and respect at work.
I have a lack of say in scheduling and recognition for overtime
As a PEA member, you have a say about how these are addressed in your collective agreement.
There is no impartial process for resolving complaints
In a union, you have the benefit of a formal process to dispute unjust discipline.
My colleagues and I don’t have protection against unfair treatment
You can raise concerns without fear for job security or retaliation.
I have to request approval to attend professional development opportunities
With a collective agreement, you can have access to paid professional development opportunities to grow your professional skills. The union also provides numerous opportunities to develop your leadership skills within your union.
You have the legal right to form a union in BC; the BC Labour Relations Code protects you: your employer cannot take negative action against you for being involved with the process of forming a workers union.
How unions work
Your collective agreement
You’ll have a collective agreement—a legal contract—that lists the terms and conditions of unionized employees in your place of work. Included in this document are compensation, vacation, hours of work, raises, overtime and more. It will also outline how to handle a situation where the collective agreement isn’t being followed. See an example of a collective agreement.
- Elected union members negotiate the collective agreement with your employer’s management team, who are excluded from the union. The agreement has a fixed term, usually of a few years, before it must be renegotiated.
- Collective agreements frequently lead to better agreements for employees because they are negotiated in the best interest of all staff. Compensation and treatment of employees will be fair and equitable.
Decisions in the union
You and all union members will elect colleagues to an executive that will work with your employer’s management on everything related to union members. The executive will also be responsible for making sure the employer is following the terms of the collective agreement.
- If the employer is not following the collective agreement, the union will follow the grievance process outlined in the contract.
- A very small percentage (1 per cent) of each member’s pay will go to helping the union run.
- The union will hold meetings several times a year to update members and provide information via email.
Supporting you
Union members will be supported by the PEA every step of the way—negotiating the collective agreement, working with management, moving forward with grievances and learning about being in a union.
- PEA members have access to learning opportunities to help you and your colleagues learn about being in a union and become leaders in your place of work.
- PEA members can call a professional labour relations officer with their concerns or issues in the workplace.
"I couldn‘t have done it if I hadn’t had the union working with me. When it comes to dealing with personal and professional challenges you need to feel there are people on your side."
Former PEA Member, Beth
