Two BC unions have increased job action this week and are demanding the provincial government return to the bargaining table.
Members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) have been on strike since Sept. 2.
On Thursday, the BCGEU said more than 370 additional union members joined picket lines.
With job action is approaching the end of the six week mark, there are nearly 25,000 workers taking job action and over 470 picket lines across the province.
“The government has the power to end this strike today—by coming back to the table with a fair offer that respects the workers who keep this province running. The ball is in the government's court,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU president.
Negotiations have not resumed since talks broke down on Sept. 29.
The union is asking for a 4% general wage increase per year for two years but the province is only offering 2% for two years.
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On Thursday, all Government Licensed Professionals represented by the Professional Employees Association (PEA) are now on strike across the province.
More than 1,600 members are now on strike at 121 picket lines across BC.
The PEA said talks broke down “quickly” on Tuesday after it came clear the government was not prepared to prepare its offer or address “long-standing recruitment and retention challenges.”
The PEA is asking for a general wage increase of 3.5% over two years.
“We had hoped the BC government would come to the table with a revised wage offer so that our members could get back to work,” said Melissa Moroz, executive director of the PEA and lead negotiator. “Instead, they arrived empty-handed.”
The PEA, which represents engineers, foresters, geoscientists, psychologists, and other specialized experts, have been on strike alongside the BCGEU since the start of September.
