The BC Government Lawyers Association has the following purposes:
- To represent government civil lawyers in matters regarding remuneration, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.
- To create, promote and encourage better understanding, unity and cooperation among the members of the Association.
- To represent the members of the Association in matters of professional interest relating to employment
Press and Media
July 14, 2024
Media Release Bill 5 – One year in force
February 14, 2024
Media Release Bill 5 – Anniversary
February 8, 2024
We stand with our Crown counsel colleagues in demanding our employer ensure we are safe while at work. That is what the law requires.
BCGLA Letter re 222 Main 2024-02-08
And the employer’s response
November 14, 2023
Les Leyne: Court finds province violated labour deal with prosecutors
The article concludes:
“Also, last May, the government started a separate argument with a different group of 300 lawyers, those working for the government handling matters outside the criminal courts.
The B.C. Government Lawyers Association wanted to be recognized as a union, but the NDP outlawed the idea and forced them to join the broader Professional Employees Association.
That case is in court as well.
The NDP convention is in Victoria this weekend. If any member raises the dismal record Eby is building with the members of his own profession working in his own government, it would make for an interesting exchange.”
Yet another example of the BC government trying to circumvent its obligations as employer and the collective bargaining rights of its lawyer employees. Read the BCCCA court decision here.
July 19, 2023
B.C. government lawyers sue province over forced unionization
July 18, 2023
Notice of Civil Claim challenging Bill 5 amendments to the BC Public Service Labour Relations Act
July 14, 2023
Rob Shaw: B.C. government lawyers filing lawsuit against their employer
July 13, 2023
June 16, 2023
May 16, 2023
CBABC Re: Passing of Bill 5, Public Service Labour Relations Amendment Act
May 12, 2023
The Tyee – BC Government and Its Lawyers Head Toward Unionization Showdown
May 11, 2023
Times Colonist – Les Leyne: NDP silence on government lawyer bill speaks volumes
May 9, 2023
Hansard Blues – Transcript of Committee Debates and Votes on Bill 5
Statement from CBABC President on Bill 5
B.C. government lawyers protest bill that would prevent forming a new union
May 8, 2023
MEDIA ADVISORY
GOVERNMENT’S IN-HOUSE LAWYERS HOLD ONE-DAY STUDY SESSION MONDAY, AND RALLY AT LEGISLATURE, OVER BILL 5
Victoria, B.C.: Members of the BC Government Lawyers Association (BCGLA), who are civil lawyers directly employed by the provincial government, will hold out-of-office study sessions today in both Victoria and Vancouver.
They will also rally 12:30 P.M. at the BC Legislature in Victoria.
Bill 5, which was brought on for Second Reading on Thursday by the NDP government, and is expected to be debated today, circumvents an ongoing Labour Relations Board hearing considering the BCGLA’s certification as a bargaining unit. A majority of civil lawyers employed by the province have signed cards favouring forming their own union to represent their unique interests and working conditions as lawyers.
Instead, Bill 5 was brought in by the NDP government as an end run that unfairly directs BCGLA members to join the Professional Employees Association (PEA) – an existing union chosen by the employer, not selected by BCGLA members.
RALLY
TIME:
12:30 P.M.
WHERE:
VICTORIA – Steps of the BC Legislature Building
EDS: For media interviews: spokespeople will be available at the rally in Victoria, and by request in downtown Vancouver.
-30-
Media contact:
Trevor Pancoust
778.386.0843
Rob Shaw: How the legislature turned into the Twilight Zone
May 6, 2023
Les Leyne: Eby takes on lawyers — again
May 5, 2023
BCGLA Legal Counsel’s response to Government’s threat of disciplinary action
Late Addition – AJC Letter to BC Premier & AG (Bill 5) 13 Feb 23
May 4, 2023
Video – Hansard Debate on Second Reading of Bill 5
May 3, 2023
Vaughn Palmer: BC NDP in for a showdown with government lawyers attempting to unionize
Vaughn Palmer Audio – Bill 5 Proceeds
Mar. 16, 2023
Legally Speaking with Michael Mulligan
Mar. 9, 2023
Check out photos from our Bill 5 Protest at the BC Legislature today
CBC Radio – Meera Bains Coverage of BCGLA Protest (Audio)
Mar. 7, 2023
AM1150 – The Early Edition with Phil Johnson interview with Gareth Morley
The Tyee – BC’s Negotiations with the Government Lawyers Collapse
CKNW Vaughn Palmer – Talks Off (Audio)
Mar. 6, 2023 – Government’s “my way or the highway” approach forces negotiations to end
BCGLA Media Release – BCGLA Suspends Negotiations
CHNL – Interview with Gareth Morley – Talks Suspended (Audio)
Feb. 15, 2020 – Joint Statement from the Government and the BCGLA
On February 14, 2023, the PSA and the BCGLA met to begin interest-based discussions on a without prejudice, without precedent basis.
Following that meeting, the parties agreed to continue meaningful discussions about the proposed legislation and its impact on BCGLA members. Government has agreed to hold off on the second reading of Bill 5 to create space for them to continue this process. While these discussions continue, the BCGLA has agreed to pause any protests and job action. Both parties have also agreed to a media blackout to facilitate the discussions.
Canadian Bar Association Letter re Bill 5
Rob Shaw Opinion – It’s unclear why the BC NDP interfered in lawyers’ union drive – but it backfired
Feb. 14, 2023
Vaughn Palmer: B.C. government picks fight with its own lawyers over unionization drive
BCGLA Media Release – BC Fed and Crown Prosecutors support
BC Crown Counsel Association Statement on Bill 5
Feb. 13, 2023
Statement of Support from the BC Federation of Labour
Vancouver City News – B.C. lawyers association votes in favour of job action
CTV News – B.C. government lawyers vote in favour of job action over newly tabled bill
TC – B.C. government lawyers threaten job action over NDP unionization bill
Feb. 11, 2023
Feb. 10, 2023
Brett Mineer’s in-depth interview with BCGLA President, Gareth Morley
The Tyee – BC Government Lawyers Cry Foul over Unionization Bid
Vancouver is Awesome – B.C. government lawyers say NDP forcing them into union
Feb. 9, 2023 – Gareth Morley, President of BC Government Lawyers Association on The Jas Johal Show
Feb. 6, 2023 – Government’s response to BCGLA certification application denies AG legal counsel have independent role
LT All Parties with Submissions & Book of Authorities
Jan. 30, 2023 – Media Release: Government changing the rules in its favour midway through the game
BCGLA Media Release Jan 30 2023
Jan. 27, 2023 – Open letter to Premier Eby and AG Sharma
Jan. 16, 2023 – Media Release: Unions throw their support behind the Province’s in-house civil lawyers, who just want to negotiate their own contract
BCGLA Media Release – Solidarity from Public Service Unions
Jan. 9, 2023 – Media Release: Argument submitted to the LRB, as BC Government’s in-house lawyers seek the right to bargain their own contract
BCGLA Media Release Jan 9 2023
Jan. 6, 2023 – BCGLA files submissions in support of its Application for Certification under the BC Labour Relations Code
BCGLA BCLRB Submissions Jan 6 2023
Dec. 5, 2022 – Media Release: BC Government cancels future joint meetings with its in-house civil lawyers over unionization bid
BCGLA Media Release Dec 5 2022
Nov. 30, 2022 – Media Release: BC Government Lawyers Association goes to Labour Relations Board in bid to become bargaining agent
BCGLA Media Release Nov 30 2022
BC Government Lawyers Seek Union Rights From NDP
Nov. 21, 2022 – Media Release: BC Government lawyers want same union rights available to five million British Columbians
BCGLA Media Release Nov 21 2022
https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/the-bc-governments-lawyers-want-to-unionize-6137008
https://www.princegeorgepost.com/news/local-news/the-b-c-governments-lawyers-want-to-unionize
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/the-b-c-governments-lawyers-want-to-unionize
https://theprovince.com/news/local-news/the-b-c-governments-lawyers-want-to-unionize
https://o.canada.com/news/local-news/the-b-c-governments-lawyers-want-to-unionize
https://canadatoday.news/ca/bc-government-lawyers-want-to-unionize-156979/