Union representing 33,000 B.C. government workers issues strike notice
A union representing tens of thousands of government workers handed the B.C. government 72 hours' strike notice Friday afternoon.
The notice on behalf of the B.C. General Employees' Union means that those workers will be in a legal position to take some form of job action before 3 p.m. Monday.
The union, which has 33,000 members who work for the provincial government, said it won't be releasing details of what that job action will be for now.
According to the union, the most recent collective agreement with the Public Service Agency expired back in April.
Negotiations have been underway since February, but so far, no deal has been reached.
In a news release, the BCGEU said bargaining reached an impasse on April 6. Union members voted in June in favour of job action, and although the parties met in July in another attempt to reach an agreement, "talks quickly broke down."
The union said the PSA invited it back to the bargaining table this week again, but "exploratory discussions" made it feel that a return "would not be fruitful at this time."
Back in July, the PSA sent an infographic showing its latest offer directly to union members, bypassing the negotiation team.
The graphic showed the province was offering a 25-cent-per-hour increase, plus a three per cent raise in Year 1.
There's an additional 25-cent hourly increase with a 2.5 per cent raise for Year 2, and a three per cent raise – with the possibility of another one per cent – in Year 3.
Together with a one-time $2,500 payment, that works out to about 11 per cent more money over three years for the union's lowest-paid workers, the graphic said.
On its side, the union is looking for five per cent pay boosts each year for two years, or a raise to match the cost of living – whichever is higher.
According to public documents, the government spends more than $38 billion on compensation. A one per cent pay increase would mean another $314 million would need to be found in the budget.
The union says it's asking for the same deal as is given to members of the legislative assembly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Truck driver accused of intentionally killing Utah officer had been holding a woman against her will
A truck driver accused of intentionally killing a police officer during a traffic stop on a Utah highway had been holding a woman against her will inside the cab of his truck, new court documents reveal.