Wage increases that address affordability issues will be the major focus of contract talks between British Columbia public service workers and the provincial government, says a union leader who forecasts difficult times ahead.
The first round of bargaining between the B.C. General Employees鈥� Union, representing thousands of government workers in the Public Service Agency, and workers from sheriffs to social workers, started Wednesday.
鈥淥bviously, we need to see an agreement that addresses the urgent cost of living and affordability crisis our members have,鈥� BCGEU president Paul Finch said in an interview. 鈥淜nowing that, obviously we think we鈥檝e got a high probability of a dispute this round of bargaining.鈥�
The initial round of talks cover a contract expiring on March 31 for more than 34,000 BCGEU members, he said.
Contracts for up to 400,000 unionized workers in the province, including nurses, hospital workers, post-secondary school instructors and support staff expire this spring and fall, said Finch.
A Ministry of Finance official said a statement was being prepared about the talks.
Finch said the union is seeking a wage increase, but would not provide the amount.
鈥淲e will provide them a package that will include a number of asks and, obviously, bargaining positions,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e will not immediately and entirely provide everything that we鈥檙e seeking this early.鈥�
Finch said the current three-year contract was narrowly approved by less than 54 per cent of the union membership in October 2022.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we see a wage increase that addresses the affordability concerns of our members,鈥� he said.
B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey forecast a record provincial deficit of $9.4 billion this fiscal year in a financial update last month.
