A police investigation has been launched after BC General Employee Union (BCGEU) members say they were attacked with bear spray while picketing this week.
According to the Victoria Police, officers were called to Belleville Street on Tuesday evening for a report of an “irritant deployment” during a labour dispute.
“A group of individuals reported experiencing respiratory distress, suggesting exposure to a substance similar to bear spray,” the police said in a statement.
Paul Finch, BCGEU president, said the incident happened while members were picketing at the Royal BC Museum.
It is unclear if anyone was badly injured, but the police say the incident has been transitioned to the general investigation team who are reviewing video footage from the area and continuing to interview witnesses regarding the incident.
Finch said the BGCGEU was “deeply disturbed” by the “violent” incident.
He claimed there were also reports of yelling, spitting, racialized and homophobic verbal assaults, and other violent incidents.
“These acts of violence against peaceful striking workers are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.
News of the attack was announced on the same day that the BCGEU escalated job action to new picket lines in Victoria and Burnaby.
That includes picket lines at the Ministry of Citizens’ Services office and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch office.
With Thursday's escalation, there are now more than 4,600 members on strike at 19 picket lines in cities across the province.
Combined with overtime bans by an additional 3,900 other members, this escalation means there are now over 8,500 BCGEU members taking job action.
Union members have been on strike since Sept. 2.
The union is seeking a general wage increase of 4% in the first year and 4.25% in the second.
However, the Ministry of Finance is characterizing the union’s proposal as a demand of 15.75%, which Finch said was “completely false.”
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