The deadline has passed for possible strike action to begin in British Columbia by an array of public service workers that includes liquor store staff, community college instructors and municipal workers.
Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and public service bargaining committee chair, announced Friday that a 72-hour notice of a potential strike had been issued, meaning strike action could come as early as this morning.
The BCGEU has about 34,000 members in fields including social services, health care, education, government liquor stores, prisons, courts and public administration.
The union announced Monday that a portion of its members — though it would not specify which — would be walking the picket lines starting this morning.
It says in a news release that Finch will join striking workers in Victoria, and there will also be picket lines in Prince George and Surrey.
The union said the strike vote was called after a breakdown in negotiations between the union and the agency in July, and it was revealed after voting closed on Friday that 92.7 per cent of members were in support of job action “if necessary.”
Union rejected the government’s offer
The union say it proposed a two-year deal in July, asking for wage increases for members at the lower end of the pay scale.
The government’s last offer was a 1.5 per cent increase in the first year and two per cent increase in the second year.
The union rejected the government’s offer.
In an interview with 1130 NewsRadio, Finch said that the government did not approach the union regarding a new offer.
“There were no talks this weekend at all,” Finch said.
“In the wake of the strike vote, the government did not come forward with an enhanced monetary mandate or a revised offer, and so no talks took place over the weekend. We are moving ahead with the job action.”
He explains that firefighters, who are currently tackling wildfires across the province, make $28 per hour.
“Our membership, on average, earned 2.7 per cent below the average wage in the province. That’s not acceptable,” he explained.
Finch hopes that the government will return to the bargaining table soon.
“Our whole bargaining committee is ready to talk, but that requires the government to have an enhanced mandate.”
B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Transit, Mike Farnworth, said that in the event of a job action, he health and safety services will be protected.
“It’s important to remember that the services that protect health, safety, and the welfare of British Columbians will continue,” he explained at a press conference Friday.
source & photo: CityNews
