BCGEU workers in Kamloops join province-wide picket lines

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Wages are the main demand for union, who say they have fallen behind inflation for the past decade, with members forced to work multiple jobs just to get by.

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“We want some modest protections around telework… and really that’s having it administered in neither an arbitrary nor discriminatory fashion,” added Finch. “We want to see our classification system taken out and renegotiated. That is a lot of the problems we are seeing in terms of unequal pay, pay equity issues across the civil service. They are a direct result of that classification system. It’s outdated, it’s broken and it doesn’t work.”

While they are required to keep working, deemed essential services, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) firefighters are among those voicing their displeasure.

“We need to make a stand here and say our wildfire fighters need to make more than $28 per hour. It’s unacceptable,” said Subastian Kallos, BCWS and BCGEU bargaining committee member. “Those qualified individuals in wildfire can go over to municipal firefighting ranks, make $15-20 more per hour, much better work-life balance. It’s time the government needs to invest in frontline workers.”

Twelve new strike lines went up on Tuesday, with morale among workers remaining high.

“I feel like there is a lot of positivity out here today. You are going to see a lot of smiling faces. We are all out here for the right reasons — we are all here for a fair wage,” said Darlene Clark, a striking member from Kamloops.

While rumours circulated that liquor distribution branches could be next to join the strike, Finch noted that didn’t come from the union — however, everything is on the table.

“What we need people to do is recognize, talk to government, reach out to government, let them know their position is unacceptable,” said Finch. “And look at the polling that we have seen shows that the majority of the public supports our wage ask. The government’s position here is unacceptable. We need them to come back to the table ahead of us having to escalate in that way.”