Associate General Counsel

**EXCLUDED ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL** Job ID: P0414 **TEMPORARY/FULL\-TIME:** 12\-months or return of incumbent **Potential Start Date:** July 1, 2026 Location: BURNABY, BC BCGEU thanks all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada and are residents of the Province of BC. **THE ORGANIZATION** **About Us:** The BCGEU is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia with over 90,000 members in 550 bargaining units in the public and private sector. We trace our beginnings back to the early 1900s when provincial government employees formed an association to address their working conditions. Since then, our union has organized thousands of workers outside the government service. We’re continuing to grow. The BCGEU believes that every worker is entitled to union representation and free collective bargaining without discrimination. Collective bargaining rights are human rights. We strive to eliminate barriers to members’ involvement and inclusion in union activity. All people are entitled to enjoy human rights, political freedom, quality public services, democratic government, and a sustainable environment, in a just society. The BCGEU commits to social justice, equality, workplace safety, decent wages and working conditions. We will pursue social, economic, and political justice as those are the goals upon which the labour movement was founded. BCGEU offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package. But a job is more than a pay cheque. We also offer our staff the opportunity to work together to make a difference. When employees go home at the end of the day, they experience the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped provide justice and fairness for British Columbians. **Job Summary:** Reporting to the excluded General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel will provide essential legal support and counsel to both the BCGEU and its members, including support and counsel related to management of disciplinary actions, grievances, and other sensitive matters, preparing legal documents, attending and assisting with preparation for legal meetings with external legal counsel and other departments. The successful candidate will handle a broad range of legal matters, including arbitration cases, administrative tribunal cases, and court matters. Additionally, the Associate Counsel will provide legal advice to both BCGEU and its members on organizing, collective bargaining, and other union\-related issues. This position requires proactive, solution\-oriented legal support to ensure the union’s success and its commitment to its members and the broader labor movement. This position also requires a strong understanding of handling sensitive and confidential legal matters in a unionized environment. **Key Responsibilities:** Litigation \& Legal Representation * Act as BCGEU counsel, conducting arbitration cases, administrative tribunal cases, and court matters as required. * Manage and oversee reviews and appeals and address legal issues that could potentially expose the union to liability. * Represent the BCGEU in legal proceedings and other major litigation matters, ensuring favorable outcomes for the union. * Oversee and manage relationships with all external legal counsel representing the union on legal matters. Advisory Support to Senior Leadership and Departments * Advise the President, Treasurer, and Executive Directors on a wide range of legal issues affecting the union, including with respect to discipline and management of its unionized employees. * Provide legal opinions and recommendations on matters requested by the President or Executive Directors, including on organizing and bargaining issues. * Provide strategic legal guidance in collective bargaining and participate in related discussions and negotiations in consultation with the Executive Directors. * Attend meetings of internal senior leadership committees (Administrative Committee, Executive Committee, Provincial Executive, Human Resources Governance Committee, etc.) and provide confidential legal advice to those bodies. * Provide legal advice as needed to all Departments of the union, including confidential labour relations advice to the Human Resources Department as needed. Solicitor Work and Strategic Advice * Provide legal counsel on solicitor matters, including real estate projects, shareholder activism, and corporate legal issues. * Offer guidance on various organizational and operational matters that support the strategic direction of the union. Union Representation and External Committees * Participating in union education sessions and representing the union with external committees and boards as directed by the President. * Represent the BCGEU at external committees and boards as directed by the President, ensuring effective union representation. Constitutional Complaints * Oversee and supervise the internal complaints and disciplinary procedures from the BCGEU Constitution and Bylaws. * Provide legal advice to the Executive Committee on internal union disciplinary decisions. * Act as legal counsel to disciplinary hearing panels as needed. General Support * Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel, contributing to the overall effectiveness and success of the legal team and the union’s strategy. * Backfill for the General Counsel as needed **Education \& Experience:** * J.D. or LL.B. degree from a recognized Canadian law school. * Member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia, with a commitment to maintaining that status. * Minimum of 3\-5 years of experience in litigation, labour law, and legal strategy, with proven success in arbitration, administrative tribunals, and court cases. * Experience in advising and working with senior leadership in a unionized or labor relations environment is an asset. **Knowledge, Skills \& Abilities:** * Knowledge of substantive law and experience with the application of procedural fairness and natural justice. * Extensive experience in developing and maintaining productive networks with other labour relations professionals. * Experience in analysis and interpretation of decisions, awards, and legislation. * Ability to develop and conduct training programs and comfortable in representing the BCGEU on key task groups and committees. * Ability to apply dispute resolution techniques in diverse situations of conflict. * Ability to express principles, analyze awards and judgments, and make recommendations clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. * Ability to handle sensitive and confidential legal matters in a unionized environment. **SALARY RANGE:** Bi\-Weekly: $6,661\.13 Annually: $173,784\.22 If you are a highly skilled labour lawyer with a passion for navigating complex labour relations landscapes, driving effective negotiations, and fostering organizational growth, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. **How to Apply:** Please include only one attachment with your application. If you need to include both a cover letter and a resume, combine them into a single file before uploading. Please reference the ***Position Title* and the *Job ID*** in the subject line when submitting your application. Applications with multiple attachments may be rejected. Resumes will be accepted by e\-mail to: recruitment@bcgeu.ca