BCGEU, province to return to negotiations

The BC General Employees’ Union, representing over 15,000 public sector workers currently involved in job action, is set to announce a major breakthrough Friday.

The Leader Spirit has learned that the provincial government and the union are heading back to the negotiating table.

Talks will resume as early as Monday.

The BCGEU publicly confirmed the details around 10 a.m.

“This is what solidarity looks like,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU President.

“When unions come together, we demonstrate our collective power and remind government that public sector workers are serious, committed, and united in their demand for fairness.”

The job action also escalated once again Friday, now including workers at 17 more BC Liquor Stores, bringing the total to 77 stores since the start of the week.

Employees of the Ministry of the Attorney General also walked off the job Friday.

The union says it’s looking for a wage increase of 8.25 per cent over two years. The provincial government’s most recent offer was a wage increase of 3.5 per cent over the same time period.

–With files from Monika Gul

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