Talks break down between BCGEU, provincial government

For weeks, striking B.C. General Employees’ Union workers have been picketing at locations around the province.

Now, talks have broken down as the longest public service strike in B.C. history continues.

“So we showed up Monday morning ready to bargain,” BCGEU president Paul Finch told CTV News Monday evening.

“When 9 a.m. rolled around, they weren’t available. And so, you know, we waited three hours for them to actually show up to the bargaining table. When they eventually did show up eight minutes before noon, they presented an offer that did not differ materially from their last offer which was rejected by 93 per cent of our members.”

But Finance Minister Brenda Bailey is suggesting the no-show by government negotiators was down to a miscommunication.

“I have been told there was no time set in the morning and that our negotiator called in the morning to say that we would be ready to table at noon, so that’s certainly not the way that I understand things to have gone down,” Bailey told CTV News Monday evening.

What’s not in dispute is the void between both parties when it comes to what a new contract should look like.

“Government’s offer is two and two (meaning two per cent increases in each of the next two years), plus some additional money for targeted adjustments, and our offer is four and four, plus some money for targeted adjustments,” said Finch.

Those are numbers Bailey insists are not feasible.

“Our increased offer today went from 4.5 per cent over two years, to five per cent over two, and that would ensure that these workers keep up with inflation over this two-year contract,” Bailey said.

The union is pledging to escalate job action further, and it appears liquor distribution could be the target.

“Since the beginning of week four we’ve had a number of public facing services impacted, notably liquor and cannabis,” Finch said. “That’s only going to increase now.”

No talks are scheduled between the two sides, with the BCGEU planning a noon rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Wednesday.

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