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BCGEU, other unions to take strike action September 5

On September 5, two days after Labour Day, B.C. unions that represent directly employed civil servants across the province will mount a day-long work stoppage. The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), Professional Employees Association (PEA), and Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union (COPE) Local 378 will join forces to take approximately 27,000 public service workers out on strike at 1,785 government work sites in 153 communities. For one of the involved unions, this will be the first strike in its 38-year history.

"We are looking for a fair and reasonable agreement, but the government is not listening. We have no choice but to send a clear message on September 5: there can be no more falling behind for all government workers," said BCGEU President Darryl Walker. "We've not taken the decision to strike lightly. Our last strike in direct government was over 20 years ago."

Since 2010, according to a union release, B.C. government workers have suffered a real wage cut of five per cent. The government's last offer, which has been withdrawn, would see pay cheques fall further behind inflation.

Walker told BCGEU members in an August 29 statement that the full day, province-wide job action was being taken to underscore union bargaining demands for a wage increase of 3.5 per cent in the first year of the contract and a cost-of-living increase in the second. He emphasized that job action did not pose any risk to the health, safety and welfare of B.C. residents. He said the unions had negotiated essential-service agreements with the employer that guaranteed there would be no risk to the public.

Government employees, Walker said, have "taken two zeros in 2010 and 2011," and had fallen behind due to inflation. His members, he said, have not had a pay increase since 2009.

"Our professional members have in almost all cases chosen public service because of their commitment to serving the public," said Scott McCannell, PEA Executive Director. "Without some protections to stop a clear trend of downsizing licensed professionals in the public service, the public interest will not be served. Our members will be taking job action for the first time in their 38-year history to send a message to the government that this issue needs to be addressed and that we need a fair settlement."

"We've exhausted our other options with ICBC and the provincial government," said COPE 378 President David Black. "Our members have spent over two years without a collective agreement doing more work for less pay."

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


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