An historic eight-week strike has officially come to an end as the B.C. General Employees’ Union and the provincial government have ratified an agreement.
A news release from the union Thursday (Nov. 13) says 79 per cent of all public service members took part in the vote, with 89.3 per cent of tose supporting the deal.
In a separate news release, the Finance Ministry said the agreement represents approximately 36,000 employees across the B.C. government, including social workers, employment-assistance workers, biologists, court clerks, sheriffs and correctional officers. It also included unionized members of the Liquor Distribution Branch, the B.C. Pension Corporation, Destination B.C. and the Royal B.C. Museum.
B.C. General Employees’ Union president Paul Finch said the agreement would not have been possible without the tenacity and solidarity of members who stood together for weeks on end.
“For eight difficult weeks, they stood firm — fighting for a strong public service that makes our province work. This deal proves that workers standing together is how real progress is made.”
Under the agreement, employees are set to receive a general wage increase of three per cent per year for four years, along with additional targeted pay adjustments for the lowest-paid workers to address the affordability crisis.
Employees are also set to have proper classification and evaluation of job duties to ensure they are fairly compensated for the work they do. A joint committee will be formed to develop a new system of classification evaluation to replace the existing Public Service Job Evaluation Plan.
The deal also creates stronger job protection, a faster grievance tribunal process, improved vision care and counselling benefits, and a category of fully remote workers with unique agreement protections.