u/BikeMeCoffee

I think some instinct has been lost over the years because for many people, moving into an excluded position was seen as the natural path upward, therefore we did whatever excluded asked of us. That quiet pressure kept our heads down, so we didn't look like difficult employees. Over time, that turned unionized employees into spectators in a system where they were specifically given a voice.

I want to be clear that excluded isn't the enemy. They probably were in included positions before us and know the deal. But they do have a different role than unionized people, which is to represent the employer. This can mean pressure to move quickly, deliver sooner, do work outside of job descriptions, or make decisions before employees feel the reasoning or impacts have been properly considered. Sometimes that urgency is justified and sometimes, as we know, it is not.

Just want to remind my fellow members that you are allowed to have an opinion. You are allowed to ask why. You are allowed to document. You are allowed to consult with the union. You are allowed to point out when something does not make sense, when a timeline is unrealistic, when a decision will create unnecessary harm, or when a colleague is being treated unfairly.

It's not about being unnecessarily difficult and fight management at every turn, but the relationship is not supposed to depend entirely on the goodwill of whoever happens to be in charge. There are rules, processes, protections, and a collective voice for a reason. Don't forget to use them, and back up your fellow members when they speak up too.

From BCGEU email:

As per the BCGEU Financial Manual, funds are available to members who are evacuated for an extended period of time (15 days or more) or lose their home due to fire, flood or other natural disaster. 

Being forced to leave your home with little time to prepare is immensely difficult. If you are eligible and need help with applying for emergency assistance, please contact your local area office.

If you are in the Okanagan, the contact information is area07@bcgeu.ca or 250-763-6405

As per email.

Volunteer: https://victoriahumanesociety.com/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/

Foster: https://victoriahumanesociety.com/foster-an-animal/apply-to-foster/

Donate: https://victoriahumanesociety.com/save-animals-everyday/

How to help from Victoria:

If you are able to help foster an animal, please email volunteer@okanaganhumanesociety.com and make sure you filled out this form https://okanaganhumanesociety.com/volunteer/

Monetary donations can also go to: https://okanaganhumanesociety.com/donate/

They’re in desperate need of pet food, litter, and crates right now.

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@6173337?iso=20260812

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/perseid.html

Anybody been? Food and atmosphere looks good online but haven’t heard anyone really talk about it and not sure if it only welcomes a certain crowd.

Starts at 1:15.

TLDR: Public service is hiring a Director of Business Planning for $170k/year. The job requires the candidate to have demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism, and have dedicated to DEI.

TLDR from Paul's update video:

• BCGEU is meeting with the employer to address several big policy grievances. These discussions focus on systemic issues related to how the collective agreement is being implemented by the employer.
• Good progress is being made on bringing excluded positions back into the union where appropriate.
• The union is addressing issues related to both completed mergers and the employer's proposed mergers.
• Training has been provided on potential Article 13 (layoff and recall) processes.
• He'll share more updates as more information becomes available.