Mediated talks between the Government of BC and BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) began over the weekend.
They’re ongoing as the strike now progresses through its eighth week and picket lines continue to grow.
The latest additions, according to the BCGEU, are all remaining members from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) and Ministry of Forests.
“Essential services were proactively negotiated and remain in place to ensure public safety and wellbeing are protected,” a BCGEU statement notes.
There are currently 94 active wildfires burning in BC, but all but nine of them are considered “under control.”
The BCGEU says mediation talks began at noon on Saturday and are being facilitated by “respected mediators” Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers.
It’s hoped the talks will put an end to the strike that began on Sept. 2, which currently has more than 25,000 of the union’s 34,000 members on strike at hundreds of picket lines across BC.
To see a full list of ministries and services fully on strike, click here.
