Striking Unions Reject B.C.’s 4% Wage Offer, Escalate Job Action

UPDATE: Tensions escalate in British Columbia as striking public service unions have outright rejected the provincial government’s latest wage offer of 4% over two years. Premier David Eby announced the revised offer earlier today, but union leaders deemed it “not meaningful,” intensifying the ongoing strike that has now involved over 15,000 workers.

The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the Professional Employees’ Association (PEA) represent approximately 35,000 public service workers across the province. Job actions have escalated sharply, with more employees walking off the job. The latest talks, which resumed briefly on September 29, 2023, collapsed almost immediately after the unions received the government’s revised offer.

Premier Eby stated, “It is a fair offer. It’s a reasonable offer,” emphasizing the need to balance the value of public service work with the province’s fiscal constraints. However, union representatives felt the offer failed to meet their demands, which have been adjusted from 8.25% to 8% over two years.

BCGEU President Paul Finch expressed frustration at the negotiation process. “We feel like they came to give the illusion of bargaining taking place,” Finch stated, highlighting that union members arrived for talks at 9 a.m. but were kept waiting nearly three hours for the government’s presence. The revised offer was finally submitted just before noon, representing only a 0.5% increase from the previous proposal.

The unions are not backing down. Finch warned that the potential exists for an additional 15,000 workers to join the strike, as about 5,000 of BCGEU members are deemed essential. The government’s financial limitations, exacerbated by a slowing global economy, add a layer of complexity to the negotiations, with Eby stating, “Creativity” is needed to satisfy both workers and taxpayers.

Today, demonstrations took place in downtown Vancouver, with picketing at 167 locations throughout the province. A rally targeted an NDP caucus meeting at the B.C. legislature, where protesters voiced their demands with bullhorns. The PEA has also expanded its job action to include professional foresters working for the Ministry of Forests.

As the situation develops, the pressure mounts on both the government and union leaders to reach a resolution that not only addresses wage concerns but also mitigates the impact of ongoing job actions on essential public services.

Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation unfolds.