Professional Reliance & Scientific Integrity
February 3, 2022 - As part of the memorandum of settlement signed by the parties in the last round of bargaining, the Professional Reliance Task Force prepared a report for government which documents the options and considerations for addressing the Professional Reliance Review recommendations. The Professional Reliance Task Force is hoping to meet with the employer to review the report. The executive summary is provided below:
This document provides recommendations to improve the Professional Reliance model currently adopted in the Province’s Natural Resource Ministries so that the Ministries can fulfill their basic mandate to manage natural resources effectively and ensure the protection of the natural environment. These recommendations are the result of the work conducted by the Professional Reliance Task Force, a joint PEA-Employer group that was established as part of the 2019 Union Settlement Agreement. While the intent of the joint Task Force was to prepare recommendations endorsed by both the PEA-side and Employer-side of the Task Force, as agreed to during the last round of bargaining with the Employer, the Employer-side representatives moved to different roles and regrettably left the Task Force in early 2020, with no new representatives replacing them. As the mandate of the Task Force is due to expire on December 31, 2021, the PEA-side of the Task Force has prepared recommendations unilaterally.
In the area of Right to Title and Practice, it is recommended that the duties and responsibilities of both PEA and non-PEA professional staff should be reviewed, to ensure that professional registration is required when staff are required to practice in areas where right to title and practice apply. If professional registration is required to fulfill the position’s duties, Government should reimburse the professional registration fees and support the professional development requirements of the licensing professional body for professional staff, regardless of whether this staff are PEA members or not.
The recommendations related to Ministry staff levels speak to the need for an increased professional work force in Government but also highlight that the existing professional staff’s time could be better employed to maximize the use of their professional expertise and experience. Recruitment and retention strategies are also suggested to improve the Government’s ability to attract high-quality professionals.
Regarding the increase of resource information availability, the recommendations include improvement of the existing publicly accessible data platforms, the establishment of data sharing agreements, and outreach activities to educate the public on natural resource data access.
To improve the role of Government as a knowledgeable owner, more investment is recommended into the development and expansion of environmental monitoring programs, the development of robust integrated natural resource management plans and an increased professional capacity in the compliance and enforcement programs.
Read the full report here
Review the June 2023 Union-Side Presentation here
News
Resources
2022 Professional Reliance Task Force Recommendations Webinar
Recommendations for an Improved Professional Reliance Model in the BC Natural Resource Ministries
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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.
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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.
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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.
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