BCGEU workers could be out of luck for a raise, says Premier David Eby

Just as the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is escalating its job action, the premier is now weighing in on the situation.

Speaking Thursday morning in Surrey, Premier David Eby says members of the BCGEU did well in their last contract, and the government isn’t able to fork out the money this time.

“We’re just not able to do that this time around,” said Eby.

“We’re facing big fiscal headwinds, and we have to understand that, as a province — which includes government workers — we’re going to have to work together and find a fair deal, be creative, but respect taxpayers as well.”

Eby says the province is not in the same financial place as it was the last time the union members bargained, and he says boosting wages would not be a fair cost to taxpayers.

“Government workers did very well in the last round of negotiations, keeping up with and exceeding inflation,” he said.

The BCGEU has added to its many picket lines across the province, this time with one along Howe Street near Smythe in downtown Vancouver.

That’s in addition to ones in Surrey, Victoria, and Prince George.

Union president Paul Finch says not providing fair wages to workers shouldn’t be used as a way to cut costs.

“We didn’t create this cost overrun,” said Finch.

“We didn’t create the deficit. Nor should the hard-working people in B.C. — that includes our members — have to forego cost-of-living increases in order to try and balance it.”

The union says the strike will continue until the government brings what the union calls a fair offer to the table.

“We do need to be diligent fiscally,” Finch said.

“But we’re not going to get there by denying fair raises to civil servants.”

Finch says that as of now, there are no new talks planned between the BCGEU’s bargaining committee and the province.