BCGEU Escalates Job Action

The BCGEU has escalated its job action as it continues to seek out a new contract for its 33-thousand members.

The BCGEU has escalated its job action as it continues to seek out a new contract for its 33-thousand members.

The union has declared a ban on non-emergency overtime for BCGEU members working in the B.C. public service effective immediately.

The overtime ban will not apply to members employed in BC Wildfire Service for the duration of the current wildfire season.

In addition to the overtime ban, targeted job action at BC Liquor Distribution Branch distribution and wholesale centres remains in effect.

Stephanie Smith, BCGEU president and chair of the union's public service bargaining committee, says the union hopes this escalation "gives government the incentive they need to invite us back to the bargaining table and negotiate a deal that will ensure robust, sustainable public services for our province and a fair deal for BCGEU members and all public sector workers."

In a statement, the union says workers' willingness to perform overtime in non-emergency situations can mask the true impact of systemic issues like under-staffing, excessive workload and high turnover-issues that have plagued the public service for years.

Meanwhile, the B-C Public Service Agency says appropriate essential-service levels are in place to allow the government to continue delivering critical services.

The province says its offer of wage increases averaging up to 11 percent over three years is the most generous offer in at least 30 years.

Talks between the two sides last broke down in July.