Year-at-a-Glance Highlights

April 4 — The Minister appointed an industrial inquiry commission into a strike by clerical and support staff at Simon Fraser University, which was jeopardizing students' ability to write final exams.

April 16 — Government reached a tentative agreement with the Facilities Bargaining Association to reduce contracting out of hospital support services, in exchange for wage rollbacks, benefit concessions and productivity gains. The tentative agreement was rejected by the union membership.

May 1 — The Report of the B.C. Labour Relations Code Review Committee was released. The five-member committee was asked to review fourteen issues and provide an independent, objective discussion and analysis.

May 5 — Bill 37, the Skills Development and Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2003 is introduced to amend the Workers Compensation Act and the Employment Standards Act, ensuring surviving partners of workers who die from workplace injuries receive lifetime survivor benefits, and changes rules for the protection of young people employed under 15.

May 14 — Bill 66, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003, repealed the Barbers Act and the Cosmetologists Act to bring these occupations into line with other trades in B.C. under new province-wide industry training legislation.

May 15 — Better working conditions and improved job opportunities in the agricultural industry were announced in a new partnership agreement that helps protect farm workers and makes agricultural production in B.C. more competitive with other jurisdictions.

October 10 — The province and the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union reached a tentative labour agreement that added flexibility for employers in return for strengthened job security for employees. The agreement remains consistent with the government's public-sector bargaining mandate of no wage increases for the next two years.

October 24 — The employment standards definition of high-technology professional was broadened to ensure those people who develop and market innovative products in the sector have the flexibility they need to maintain a competitive edge.

October 24 — Release of two new reports, supported by the provincial and federal governments, that identify job growth and potential skills gaps in a number of areas in the years leading up to and following the 2010 Olympics. The reports, prepared by Roslyn Kunin & Associates, will help government, educators and business maximize the employment, skills development and volunteer opportunities that will result throughout the province from Olympic Games-related and general economic growth up to and beyond 2010.

November 13 — Government released consultant Don Wright's report that recommended terms of reference to review teacher collective bargaining in British Columbia.

November 18 — An industrial inquiry commission was appointed to study labour issues in the B.C. film industry. Justice David F. Tysoe of the Supreme Court of B.C. headed up the inquiry.

November 19 — Legislation was introduced that will help in the development of new health-care facilities for patients, by clarifying the rules for public-private partnerships in the health sector. Bill 94, the Health Sector Partnerships Agreement Act, will facilitate construction of the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.

November 20 — Legislation was introduced to update the 1976 Railway and Ferries Collective Bargaining Assistance Act, which allowed government to order a cooling off period in ferry labour disputes. Amendments introduced in Bill 95 update references to related acts and to parties involved.

November 21 — BCGEU employees voted 80 per cent to ratify a two-year extension of the current collective agreement with the province. In a parallel vote, employees of the Liquor Distribution Branch voted 85 per cent to accept contract changes that will maintain the B.C. Liquor Stores and distribution centres in the public service.

November 28 — The definition of 'farm worker' was updated to keep pace with the many changes that have taken place in agriculture, including increased mechanization and the growing importance of farm-based sales.

November 28 — Young workers, many starting their first jobs, will be protected under a new regulation, which would come into effect December 14. The rules covering children under 15 working in B.C.'s film, television and television and radio commercial industry which would come into effect December 14. The rules set out how long a child could work in a day or a week and ensure children's income are protected.

December 9 — Government brought in an 80-day cooling-off period, ordered a return to full service of the ferry system and appointed special mediator, Vince Ready, to work with BC Ferries Services Inc. and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union in resolving their labour dispute.

December 16 — Legislation was introduced to bring an end to the work stoppage in the coastal forest industry. Bill 99, the Coastal Forest Industry Dispute Settlement Act, provided for a return to work under the terms of the collective agreement that expired in June, 2003, and appointed Don Munroe to mediate a new agreement by May 31, 2004.

December 19 — Following meetings with school employer and unions groups, Don Wright was appointed to review and recommend changes to the collective bargaining structure for teachers in B.C.

February 23, 2004 — The B.C. Forest Safety Task Force released its report calling for immediate and fundamental changes in B.C.'s forest sector. The report provides recommendations for tackling the unacceptable rates of death and serious injury in B.C. forests.

February 26, 2004 — "Planning for Gold", the final report of the 2010 Human Resource Planning Committee was released. This report identifies themes that are critical for addressing B.C.'s human resource requirements leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These themes are the basis for recommended actions on the part of industry, government and other stakeholders.

March 4, 2004 — Justice Tysoe's industrial inquiry commission report was released outlining five labour relations issues that must be resolved to keep B.C.'s film industry competitive with other jurisdictions.