About Us
The PEA is a labour union. Its constitution sets out similar objectives, and labour law gives it the same rights and obligations to represent its members in collective bargaining as apply to other labour unions in British Columbia.
PEA members are distributed among ten different chapters. The employees in each chapter have a separate employer. The PEA carries on collective bargaining with each employer for the purpose of concluding collective agreements which define the salaries, benefits and employment terms that apply to employees for the term of the agreement.
As indicated in its name, the PEA is comprised primarily of professional employees. The PEA Constitution defines a professional employee as one typically engaged in exercising a predominantly intellectual skill customarily acquired by completing a prolonged course of instruction in an institution of higher learning.
Our Story
Find out how the PEA was formed and how we've changed along the way
Our Story
Find out how the PEA was formed and how we've changed along the way
Executive
The PEA is governed by an elected board of PEA members
Executive
The PEA is governed by an elected board of PEA members
Our Staff
The daily operations of the PEA are run by the PEA's staff out of the Victoria office
Our Staff
The daily operations of the PEA are run by the PEA's staff out of the Victoria office
Constitution
The Constitution and By-Laws of the PEA guide the critical direction of our union
Constitution
The Constitution and By-Laws of the PEA guide the critical direction of our union
Strategic Plan
The strategic plan is a visionary document of our organization set the PEA Executive
Strategic Plan
The strategic plan is a visionary document of our organization set the PEA Executive
Financials
Every year we report out to our members on our financial health
Financials
Every year we report out to our members on our financial health
Careers
Find out about the career opportunities available at the PEA
Careers
Find out about the career opportunities available at the PEA
Executive Minutes
Find the minutes from past Association Executive Minutes
Executive Minutes
Find the minutes from past Association Executive Minutes
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.
