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By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: As inflation soars, timing for a BCGEU strike isn’t the best

Aug 24, 2022 | 4:47 AM

THERE’S NEVER A GOOD TIME for unions to strike but certain times are worse than others.

The B.C. General Employees’ Union is in the middle of a contract dispute with their government employer that so far includes the targeting of B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch centres — including Kamloops — and, as of a couple of days ago, a ban on non-emergency overtime.

So far, the public has been only slightly inconvenienced, having to contend with limited liquor supplies. But the BCGEU represents a wide range of employees, including corrections officers, court clerks, liquor and cannabis store workers, highways maintenance workers, casino employees and others — 33,000 in all.

The government has offered almost 11 per cent in pay increases over three years, plus $2,500 signing bonuses — not bad but not good enough, says the union, which is insisting on further adjustments for inflation.

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That’s where public support — an important factor in any strike involving public employees — has its limitations. Consumer prices have risen by almost eight percent in the past year, and an Angus Reid Institute survey this week found that four in five Canadians have cut spending to contend with it.

They’re delaying major purchases, cutting back on travel, holding off on charitable donations and saving less. Most say they can’t keep up with the cost of living.

Since they aren’t getting big pay increases to make up for it, they have little sympathy with unions that demand them. Besides which, big hikes in wages and benefits actually fuel inflation.

So, all in all, this isn’t an ideal time for the BCGEU to be going on strike for major increases. The government yesterday invited the union back to the bargaining table but doesn’t seem inclined to set a precedent with a fat contract.

Instead, it’s likely that face-saving measures, possibly involving a longer or short contract and redistribution of the wage offer, will be the way out for both sides.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.