COVID-19 Return to Work
Publish date: Monday, October 19, 2020
GLP - Government Licensed Professionals
Dear GLP Members,
Many of you have contacted the PEA in regard to the Employer’s identified need to repopulate government offices with staff. In some cases, PEA members have been told that they have no choice but to return to their government offices in some capacity (e.g., two days per week).
This PEA bulletin provides information about your rights from a duty to accommodate perspective when it comes to continuing to work from home.
Some members may be able to continue to work from home without any kind of accommodation. We believe there is value in the employer agreeing to telework arrangements both from an operational perspective and from a perspective that acknowledges the complexities of people’s lives outside of work.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, PEA members have shown that working from home is a safe and productive option for professionals. In the next few weeks, we will see how willing the employer is to continue this practice. If you are experiencing difficulties or have concerns, please contact your local rep or the PEA office.
Thanks,
Melissa Moroz
Labour Relations Officer
Resources
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.
