Thousands more public service workers in BC will be hitting the picket lines as the strike enters its second week.
On Monday, BC General Employees’ Union (BGEU) president Paul Finch announced that the strike would be expanding to more cities starting on Tuesday and the number of striking employees would more than double.
The union said it would begin picketing in eight new cities in addition to picket lines in Vancouver, Prince George, Surrey and Victoria.
Those new cities include Nanaimo, Kamloops, Kelowna, Williams Lake, Cranbrook, Nelson, Fort St. John and Smithers.
That represents an increase to 22 total sites and over 4,000 workers.
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The union and BC Public Service Agency have been in negotiations since late January but talks broke down in July.
Union members voted 92.7% in favour of strike action in late August.
The strike began on Sept. 2.
Workers are seeking competitive wages that address the affordability crisis, fair access to telework, a modernized contract that more fairly values their work, and a limit on non-union managers.
“BCGEU members have asked for 4% in year one and 4.25% in year two. This is a reasonable ask for members who provide critical services across the province,” said Finch in a release.
“We need government to come to the table with a fair deal. Until then, our union will continue to escalate job action across the province.”
Meanwhile, the provincial government is proposing 4.25% over two years.
The BCGEU represents a total of 34,000 public service employees.
That includes wildland firefighters, social workers, correctional officers and sheriffs, conservation officers as well as liquor and cannabis retail and distribution staff.
