Government workers have hit the picket lines in B.C. Tuesday (Sept. 2).
Lining Victoria's Blanshard and Douglas streets, members of the Professional Employees Association (PEA) — which includes engineers, foresters, geoscientists and psychologists — walked out to push the province to increase wages and commit to reducing its "reliance" on external contractors, among other demands, according to the 51-year-old labour union.
The move comes after negotiations that began May 27 between the union and the province broke down.
Eighty-two per cent of PEA members voted to strike Aug. 29, marking the second time these government professionals have walked out in the union's 51-year history.
Of the over 1,800 of these workers employed by the province, 150 are picketing in Victoria, Surrey and Prince George, alongside B.C. General Employees Union members, who also voted to issue a 72-hour strike notice Aug. 29.
“Our goal here is to get a collective agreement,” said Moroz. “We're hoping the province takes notice of the resolve of our members and the support we have in our communities and comes back to the table.”
When asked how long the PEA expects the strike will last, the executive director added, “We'll stay out as long as it takes to get a deal that we believe we'll be able to ratify with our members.”
“These professionals do not take the decision to strike lightly,” Moroz said in a Sept. 2 news release. “But when the B.C. government refuses to pay fair wages and continues to contract out the same work at a higher cost, they are sending a clear message about the priorities of this province.
"Contracting out doesn’t save money; it costs more. Instead of investing in a stable public service, the government is paying a premium for external contractors. It’s not just unfair to workers, it’s fiscally irresponsible.”
The PEA said the strike won’t disrupt essential services.
More to come…
