March 29 th B.C. Bulletin – Paid sick leave

ME M O

Date:              March 29, 2022

To:                  B.C. Local Union Executives, B.C. Staff and B.C. Support Staff

From:             Scott Lunny, Director

Subject:        B.C. Bulletin – Paid sick leave

Yesterday, Steelworkers from across B.C. met with Minister Harry Bains to discuss amendments to strengthening paid sick leave for all workers in B.C.

The government has taken to make amendments to B.C.’s Employment Standards Act addressing concerns that some employees were excluded from the full five paid sick days due to existing language in collective agreements. Paid sick leave protection will now apply to all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act, including part-time employees.

The amendments are a win for working people in B.C.

The amended legislation is expected to proceed to second and third reading this week and is expected to receive Royal Assent within the next two weeks.

Please take a moment to read the B.C. government release at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022LBR0005-000432

The bill amendments can be found at https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary- business/legislation-debates-proceedings/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/bills/first- reading/gov19-1 

You can also follow the progress of the Bill at https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary- business/legislation-debates-proceedings/42nd-parliament/3rd-session/bills/progress-of-bills