1 Talking Points for ABSU Members (not including ... - COPE 378

Talking Points for ABSU Members (not including meter readers)What We’re FacingI work for Accenture Business Services. Accenture is the outsourced arm of BC Hydro, and providesbilling, customer service, IT, meter reading and human-resources services to BC Hydro. Before we wereoutsourced, we accounted for one third of BC Hydro’s workforce. We still answer our phones as BCHydro, we still wear BC Hydro uniforms, and we still do BC Hydro’s work – and only BC Hydro’s work.Right now, BC Hydro is evaluating the Accenture-BC Hydro contract. BC Hydro has indicated to us, ouremployers at Accenture, and our union, that Accenture may not win the contract.Why We’re WorriedI am deeply concerned about what will happen to my job if Accenture loses the contract. My jobsupports my family. Unemployment in BC is at a 27 year high, and in the last budget Colin Hansenpredicted unemployment would stay at 7% for the next 5 years.Beyond my household, my job, and the jobs of my 1,300 colleagues at Accenture, support and sustainthe communities in which we live.Why I’m Asking For Your HelpIn 2003 the provincial government brought in Bill 10, legislation to allow BC Hydro to outsource toAccenture. The government defended the proposed Accenture contract, saying it would provide BritishColumbians with well-paying, family supporting jobs. (*Pat Bell press release Feb 25, 2003)Now these ‘well paying, family supporting jobs’ you advocated for are under threat.What We WantWhen our jobs were originally outsourced from BC Hydro to Accenture, we moved from one employerto the other and kept our wages, benefits and pensions.I want to keep my job, as do my colleagues, regardless of the outcome of the bid. Will you advocate forthe work that we do in service of our public utility?Our jobs must retain their value to be of service to our families and our communities. Will you work toensure the value of my job (my wages, my benefits and my pension) remains undiminished?What We Can OfferWe understand BC Hydro’s systems and needs. A great many of us were BC Hydro employees beforebeing outsourced. It makes no sense to lose throw away this institutional knowledge.I ask you, as my elected representative, to take my questions and concerns to the new Premier andMinister of Energy, and to help me and my colleagues to find answers.SA/jh:usw20091

• Energy Minister Rich Coleman was a guest on CKNW’s Bill Good show when a meter readercalled in to ask what would happen to his job. Minister Coleman’s reply:“Well, actually, I am happy to answer that question. Our objective is to make sure thatthose folks that are presently employed with regards to reading the meters today, whichare the old mechanical meters, which wouldn't have to be read the same anymore.What they have will be transitioned to other jobs within BC Hydro given the opportunityfor re-training so they can, so they can have the jobs that they have today just doingsomething different.”• Meter Readers asking the same question of their local MLAs received the following stock repliesfrom BC Liberal MLAs (including from Finance Minster Kevin Falcon)“BC Hydro must invest in our infrastructure and reduce costs for our ratepayers whilebeing mindful of the job impact on Accenture employees.“That’s why we are offering the first opportunity for people who are impacted by thischange consideration for new positions they are qualified for within BC Hydro. We havealso asked our contractors to give these individuals first consideration for any newopportunities they create.“There will be a reduced need for manual meter reading services and at the same timethere will be an increased need for technology based jobs to operate and maintain thenew system. There will also be an increased need for support in field investigations andcall centre jobs.”• However, when COPE 378 last met with BC Hydro they said they would consider offeringpreferential hiring, but not re-training.Who Are Meter Readers?• Total members – 389, including 263 regular (198 fulltime, 65 part time) and 126 temporary (13fulltime, 113 part time aka casuals). Also includes associated jobs (work leaders, schedulers,etc.)• 202 in Lower Mainland, 187 outside LM• Cariboo – 13, Kootenay – 19, Northern – 38, Thompson/OK – 53, V. Island – 64Impacts of Job Losses• In April 2011 BC’s unemployment rate was at 7.9 %, above the national unemployment rate andabove most of the provinces• Colin Hansen predicted in his last budget that BC’s unemployment rate would remain at 7% orabove• Meter readers account for nearly 400 people in communities around the province• Many communities outside of the lower mainland have lost jobs over recent years and can’tafford to lose more family sustaining workSA/jh:usw20093

What to Expect at your MLA’s OfficeCall ahead – Every office sets its own hours. When you go to set up the meeting, it’s ok to do it over thephone, or in person.Your first contact will be with the Constituency Assistant. Each MLA has 1-3 CAs and part of their job isto screen constituents and deal with routine issues in order to save their MLAs time. You will need to tellthem you want to meet with your MLA and give them a brief description of your issue. Most offices willcheck to make sure you’re a constituent and will not set up meetings with non-constituents.Reasonable offices will schedule a meeting with the MLA provided you are a constituent, seem credible,and have provincial issues (rather than an individual problem) to discuss. However, CAs are tasked withtrying to deal with as many constituents as they can themselves in order to save the MLA time.Fortunately, the Legislature will not be sitting until September at the earliest, so your MLA shouldhopefully be in their constituency sometime in the coming weeks.Some possible reactions and how to deal with them:1. The MLA is busy/out of town. Try to find out where the MLA is and exactly when the MLA isreturning. If it’s going to be too long to wait, ask to meet with someone else in the office.Otherwise offer to wait for a meeting until the MLA returns.2. This is an issue you need to talk to the Ministry about, instead of going through your localMLA. Point out that the MLA is a representative of the government and that as his/herconstituent, you believe it’s important he/she sit down with you to discuss this important issue.Part of a government MLA’s role is as a conduit so they need to be able to take your concernsback to Victoria and help explain their government’s positions to you.3. Please just email or mail us. Say you would rather speak with your MLA directly. If you are goingwith another person, mention that this would save time and avoid confusion for the MLA tospeak to you both directly. This is the best way for you to be absolutely sure that the MLA ishearing your concerns.You should expect MLAs to set aside between 15 min to an hour to meet with you. Make sure you’velooked over your talking points and let them know what action you’d like them to take.If you meet with one of the Constituency Assistants, ask them when they will be sharing yourinformation with the MLA and ask them to please get in touch with you to let you know what action theMLA will be taking. If you have not heard back by a few days after the CA said they would speak to theMLA, phone to follow up. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease!After the meeting make a note of the MLA’s (or CA’s) reaction and any commitments they’ve made totake action.SA/jh:usw20094

If you’re Meeting an Opposition MLAThe only difference from what’s above is that Opposition MLAs may suggest the issue needs to bereferred to the Opposition Energy Critic, or the Minister’s office. Again, you should point out that it’spart of an MLA’s role to take constituents’ concerns to Victoria and that you would prefer to meet withthem directly. You can mention that you are aware that the Opposition Leader and Energy Critic didmeet with some ABSU members on these issues, but you still feel it is the local MLAs’ responsibility tomeet with you as their constituent.SA/jh:usw20095