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BCGEU president warns of more militant action

The president of one of B.C.'s largest unions warned on Aug. 2 that its dispute with the provincial government might need to be escalated to larger and more militant action.

Darryl Walker, the president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) said that so far, since a June 28 vote by the union executive to authorize strike action, the BCGEU has proceeded in a "measured, moderate way," conducting small one-day pickets at a few job sites on July 3rd and announcing that it will conduct similar actions across the province on Aug. 7, as recently reported on the Hook.

"We think the people of B.C. expect us to proceed carefully, and we are," Walker told The Tyee. "But eventually we may have to move to something more militant. It seems clear that the government has little interest in negotiating. Each or our steps has has to be bolder."

Walker said he hoped other unions would join BCGEU members on the streets, noting that several other unions representing government workers were "in a position to move."

"Joint strikes would show the depth and breadth of what's going on," he said.

Walker said that the provincial government intends to cut the civil service by attrition, eliminating over 2,000 workers from what he said is already "Canada's leanest public service."

The BCGEU, Walker said, had made several proposals to the government that would save money and increase revenues without cutting staff. He cited the union's proposals that Liquor Control Board outlets be opened on Sundays and that deputy sheriffs take over traffic enforcement duties from the RCMP. The traffic enforcement proposal alone could mean several hundred million dollars more a year in government coffers, he said.

-Tom Sandborn covers labour and health policy beats for the Tyee. He welcomes your feedback and story tips at [email protected].

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