PEA Meeting with Shannon Salter: Appendix H, Leave for Meritorious Service

Dear PEA members,

Last week, we met with the head of the Public Service, Shannon Salter, Deputy Minister Deb Godfrey, and Korina Tsui to advocate for long-overdue improvements to how our members are compensation in response to emergencies, outlined in Appendix H, Leave for Meritorious Service.

We pushed for a more just and motivating compensation model that would provide PEA members with time-and-a-half pay for hours worked beyond their regular schedules. As it stands, PEA members receive straight time compensation for this critical work and only after Appendix H has been activated. Our members step up when the province needs them most, and it’s time the system stepped up for them in return. What we proposed not only recognizes the valuable work of members but also offers a cost-effective alternative to relying on external contractors during emergencies.

We also challenged the current activation process, which leaves members waiting in limbo and requested automatic activation for emergency deployments. The system needs to be changed to become clear and streamlined. This will eliminate uncertainty and reduce stress for members and leadership.

This meeting was part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that all PEA members are treated fairly and recognized for their contributions to BC’s emergency response. Shannon Salter acknowledged and appreciated our feedback and thanked PEA members for their dedication.

We’ll keep you posted if there are any changes.

In solidarity,

Dwayne Anderson
GLP Chapter Chair