Some members of the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) have been on strike for eight days, creating lines at four liquor distribution centers across B.C. Yesterday, the union announced an overtime ban for all members except BC Wildfire employees. The BCGEU represents more than 33,000 workers in the province. Nearly 95 percent of union members voted to strike earlier this year. Protecting wages in the form of cost-of-living adjustments and recognizing workload and staffing issues are a priority for members, the union says. On Monday, the Public Service Agency (PSA) told CBC it made its “most generous offer in 30 years,” including 11 percent pay increases over three years, a signing bonus and “some” inflation protection, and it believes that his proposal is an exhibition. The BCGEU, which says it was invited back to the negotiating table by the PSA on Monday night, describes the development as “significant” and says it is the direct result of the current job action. The union says the employment action will remain in effect until further notice. Both the PSA and the BCGEU agreed to a media and member blackout during the negotiations.
More negotiations resume in BC
Collective bargaining is also expected to resume Thursday between nine unions and the BC Health Employers Association, affecting more than 60,000 health workers in the province. One of the nine unions, the Hospital Employees Union (HEU), says negotiations have stopped to show solidarity with BCGEU strike action. Their last collective bargaining agreement expired on March 31. The HEU says wages are the key issue in its negotiations.
