VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Public service workers here represented by the B.C. General Employees’ Union are expanding their strike over wages and conditions, and winning widespread labor support.
Over 5,000 strikers and their supporters marched and rallied in Victoria Oct. 6 to bring their demands to the provincial legislature on the first day of its fall session.
The demonstration was lively and spirited, with labor songs and chants like, “We have the power. What kind of power? Union power!”
Melissa Moroz, executive director of the Professional Employees Association, many of whose 1,800 members are also on strike and have been picketing alongside BCGEU members, joined BCGEU President Paul Finch and other labor officials in carrying the lead banner.
“We won’t back down, we won’t be divided, and we don’t stop until we win a fair deal,” Finch told the crowd.
The BCGEU, the largest union in the province, with 34,000 members, launched the strike Sept. 2 after the membership voted 92.7% to walk out.
Members and leaders from many other area unions took part, including the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, BC Teachers’ Federation, BC Nurses’ Union, MoveUP, International Longshore and Warehouse Union and others.
Negotiations broke down last week after the government refused to significantly raise its wage offer. The union is demanding a 4% raise each year.
“Wages can only lag behind so much before it hits a breaking point,” Finch told CTV News at the rally, “and that’s what you’re seeing.”