VICTORIA – The British Columbia General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has announced that a segment of its members working for the province’s public service will commence striking on Tuesday, following a 72-hour strike notice issued last week. The union's president, Paul Finch, is set to join the workers on the picket line in Victoria.
Although the union has not specified which members will participate in the strike, picket lines are also planned in Prince George and Surrey. The BCGEU represents approximately 34,000 members across various sectors, including social services, health care, education, government liquor stores, prisons, courts, and public administration.
The decision to call for a strike vote comes after negotiations between the BCGEU and the Public Service Agency stalled in July. At a news conference on Friday, Finch highlighted overwhelming support for job action, noting that 92.7 percent of members voted in favor of taking action “if necessary.” The union is advocating for a four percent wage increase in the first year and 4.25 percent in the second year, along with an unspecified adjustment for the cost of living.
In a similar context, the members of the Professional Employees Association (PEA), who also work for the Public Service Agency, recently voted in favor of job action and announced an intention to issue strike notices concurrently. As such, collective action within the public service sector appears to be gaining momentum.
Acting Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth addressed the situation on Friday, stating that services crucial for the “health, safety, and welfare” of British Columbians would remain safeguarded under existing agreements related to essential services. Farnworth emphasized that “agreements are made at the negotiating table,” but he refrained from divulging details about the most recent offers made to the union.
A spokesperson for the BCGEU, reached by phone on Sunday, confirmed that further details regarding which members will participate in the strike would be disclosed on Tuesday. This indicates that the union is preparing for a significant mobilization of its members, although the specifics remain under wraps for the time being.
This unfolding situation highlights the increasing tensions between public sector unions and the provincial government, as negotiations struggle to meet the demands of workers facing rising living costs. As the strike approaches, both the union and the government will need to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure that essential services continue to operate while addressing the concerns of the workforce.
The situation develops as public sector unions in British Columbia assert their rights to fair compensation and better working conditions, creating a critical moment in labor relations within the province.
