After a record setting public service strike action, members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) who work for the public service in BC have voted in favour of ratifying the tentative agreement with the Province.
According to the BCGEU, 79% of their public service workers took part in the vote, and of those members, 89.3% voted in favour of the agreement.
With this vote, the historic eight-week strike is now officially over and employees of the public service will go back to work under the new conditions.
“The focus of this victory is the unwavering determination shown by BCGEU and PEA members as they stood on the lines and did what it took to achieve these gains,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU President.
“For eight difficult weeks, they stood firm—fighting for a strong public service that makes our province work. This deal proves that workers standing together is how real progress is made.”
The goal of this strike was to move toward closing the gap between public sector wages and the rising cost of living.
BCGEU says that members have made significant progress on key issues such as wages, affordability, and respect through their efforts in this job action.
Under the new agreement, employees will receive a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years.
Additionally, there will be targeted pay adjustments for the lowest paid workers in the public service, in order to address the affordability crisis.
Non-monetary improvements and enhanced benefits include:
- Proper classification and evaluation of job duties
- Stronger job protections
- A faster grievance tribunal process
- Improved vision care and counselling benefits
- A newly established category of fully remote workers with unique protections
“This agreement is what is needed to help keep experienced public service workers in their jobs,” continued Finch.
“It helps ensure they’re able to continue to provide the critical services that British Columbians rely on every day.”
BCGEU wanted to note that during this strike, the union tried its best to maintain essential services and focus the job action on government operations in order to minimize disruption to the public.
Though because it ultimately did cause inconvenience and disruptions to the lives of British Columbians, the union says they want to express thanks to the people of BC for their patience and support throughout the dispute.
The agreement will have a direct impact on the livelihoods of approximately 36,000 people working in occupations that provide core government services.
Some of these individuals include social workers, employment-assistance workers, biologists, court clerks, sheriffs and correctional officers in public safety as well as the unionized members of the Liquor Distribution Branch.
