BCGEU President Stephanie Smith says negotiations on a new contract for 33,000 members of the civil service are currently deadlocked. The deal expired on April 1, and government negotiators and BCGEU negotiators are currently far behind on wage increases. The government has bid for a 1.5 percent increase in 2022, a 2 percent increase in 2023 and a 2 percent increase in 2024. 1:52 BC Negotiations on public sector contracts reach a stalemate over wages BC The BCGEU has submitted a bid of 5 percent growth or inflation, whichever is higher, in 2022 and 5 percent or inflation, whichever is higher, in 2023. The story goes on under the ad “Unfortunately, wage increases by the government are not enough to address our cost-of-living concerns,” Smith said in an interview. Trending Stories
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“Right now what happens next depends solely on the employer. We are ready to return to the table when they are ready to submit an offer that we are willing to offer to our members. “Excluding that we are preparing for a strike vote.” Smith says a strike does not necessarily mean a strike. If there is finally a strike vote, it could start as an overtime ban or as a project to rule.
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Prior to the strike, the BCGEU will hold talks with members across the province. The last time a public service strike took place was in 2012, including the BC Liquor Stores pickets. Currently, the union and the government are negotiating basic service levels in the event of a strike. “I do not have a crystal ball in it. “Our hope is always to enter into a collective agreement, our goal is not to strike,” Smith said. The story goes on under the ad “We see inflation in the United States at 8.5 percent and we know that Canada is not far behind. “We do not need to tell anyone how difficult it is to afford things in British Columbia right now.” In a statement, Treasury Secretary Celina Robinson said the government respects the collective bargaining process and part of the process can always include a union that will take a strike vote. “I respect their privilege to do so in any round of negotiations,” Robinson said. “The best deals are worked out on the table. “Leaving the discussions on the table allows the negotiating parties to focus on reaching a settlement.” © 2022 Global News, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.
