Hundreds of striking public sector workers marched in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday as both sides remain far apart in negotiations.
Members of other unions, including the Professional Employees Association, BC Nurses’ Union and the BC Teachers’ Federation, joined the march in what the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) called a show of solidarity with its workers.
The crowd chanted “union power” and “the workers united will never be defeated” as they marched from the Vancouver Art Gallery to the Vancouver Convention Centre as their five weeks of job action continue with no end in sight.
The union says it is prepared to escalate the strike after the province’s increased wage offer of five per cent over two years was rejected.
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The union counter-offered with a request for eight per cent over the term, despite the province claiming financial constraints.
“We’ve been very careful about, for the first three weeks of this strike, in terms of trying not to inconvenience the public, obviously, at a certain point there’s only so many people who can go on strike before that’s inevitable,” BCGEU president Paul Finch said.
“At this stage, our members are very upset at the government’s conduct here.”
B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said it is important to reach a deal but it has to be a realistic one.
“I do think most British Columbians understand that it’s important to bring forward a fair agreement, but it has to be fair to the union and all British Columbians, so government is willing to get back to the table and work toward an agreement, but frankly not at any cost,” she said.
Bailey said the latest offer was fair, given the province’s constrained finances.
-with files from The Canadian Press
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