The union representing striking public service workers in British Columbia says its members are “puzzled” by comments posted to social media by the finance minister on the Thanksgiving long weekend. Brenda Bailey posted a video to social media Saturday addressing the dispute with the BC Government Employees’ Union that has escalated to see more than 25,000 workers take to picket lines – shuttering government liquor and cannabis stores and halting non-essential services at a number of ministries. “As we start the long weekend, I am interested in finding a path forward at the bargaining table and I hope we can reach an agreement that is fair to BCGEU workers and fair to all British Columbians,” a statement prefacing the video said. Asked Sunday if talks that stalled soon after they began last month are set to resume, union president Paul Finch said nothing has been planned or scheduled. “We are puzzled by the minster’s comments on social media because government has not indicated any plans to come back to the bargaining table this weekend. They have yet to call us back,” Finch wrote in a statement. Wages are the main sticking point in the dispute, with the union saying the government’s offer of a four per cent wage increase over two years falls too far short of keeping pace with inflation and the cost of living. “More than half of BCGEU public service workers have considered leaving their jobs because of affordability concerns,” Finch’s statement continued. “Workers have kept vital public services running under immense pressure and they deserve transparency and real wage growth, not spin tactics and stalled talks.” Bailey’s video statement said the government is willing to offer a deal that balances the challenging economic outlook for the province with worker wages. “We can’t reach an agreement that makes service delivery too expensive to maintain what we can do is deliver government workers compensation that keeps up with inflation and offers even more to our lowest wage earners,” she said. “It’s fair, and it’s in touch with today’s reality,” she said. CTV News contacted the finance ministry to ask if there is a plan for bargaining to resume, and for clarification on what work is being done to move towards an agreement. “We are always seeking a path back to the bargaining table to work on an agreement that offers government workers compensation that keeps up with inflation and offers more for lower-income earners. We can achieve a fair agreement for workers and for the people of B.C.,” an emailed statement from the ministry said. The government also said its offer to the BCGEU amounts to a five per cent wage increase over two years with “all compensation adjustments included” and the amount for workers earning under $50,000 works out to 6.25 per cent, on average.
