Latest news with #B.C.GeneralEmployeesUnion
Vancouver Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Vaughn Palmer: NDP hoped BCGEU would take the hint. It did not
VICTORIA — The B.C. New Democrats decided that a 'balanced budget' would be the theme for this year's contract bargaining in the public sector, hoping that the unions would take the hint and lower expectations. It hasn't worked with the B.C. General Employees Union, representing 34,000 public servants in central government. The union broke off negotiations with the province on Friday and put its members on notice to prepare for an online strike vote, now set for Aug. 11-29. 'The government tabled a wage offer that's below inflation,' said BCGEU president Paul Finch. 'That's completely unacceptable to our members.' A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Although the union hastened to assure members that a strike vote does not necessarily mean a strike, the two sides are far apart. The province, in keeping with its 'balanced budget bargaining mandate' was offering an increase of 3.5 per cent spread over two years. That is a relatively modest increase compared to the almost 14 per cent boost in the New Democrats granted in the three-year contract that expired March 31. The union countered with 8.25 per cent over two, plus a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) — more than double the government's attempt to hold the line. In costing the two positions, keep in mind that the BCGEU is only one of 180 or so public sector unions in this year's bargaining round. The government seeks to negotiate roughly comparable settlements in percentage terms with all public sector groups. The finance ministry says that a one-per-cent increase in wages and benefits across the broad public sector (workers and managers included) costs about $500 million each and every year going forward. The government offer — 1.5 per cent in year one followed by two in the second — would add $750 million to the wage bill in the first year and $1.75 billion in the second, $2.5 billion in all. The union's two-year counter of four per cent followed by 4.25 would cost $2 billion followed by $4.1 billion, or $6.1 billion in all. Not including the COLA. The union counteroffer would impose a much bigger cost on provincial finances than the government offer. But neither is affordable, given that the NDP is budgeting for an $11-billion deficit this year and $10 billion next. The BCGEU challenges the government's alarmist tone about provincial finances. 'The provincial deficit is not a crisis or a barrier to providing wage increases,' the union argued in a 22-page report calling for 'an investment in public safety and a healthy economy,' released last week. 'The deficit projections do not include … an additional $4 billion a year in contingency funds that could be allocated to wage increases, hiring and expansion,' the report notes. The union is right about the unallocated contingency funds in the budgets for this year and each of the next two, totalling $12 billion in all. In the past, the government has tapped contingencies to cover the cost of contract settlements negotiated after the budget is released. However, this year there are likely to be other demands on contingencies. The finance ministry has yet to account for the $2-billion hit on the revenue side, resulting from the decision to phase out the carbon tax. There is good reason to expect other hits on revenues because of slowing economic growth, a slumping housing market and the impact of U.S. tariffs. Some independent economists suggest the deficit could end up in the $14-billion to $15-billion range once all of the negative factors are taken into account. Yet the BCGEU sees no cause for concern. 'Even if deficit projections are accepted at face value, it does not represent a fiscal crisis,' the union analysis continues. 'The government's own budget projections illustrate a strong fiscal position with 2025 expenditures projected at 20.6 per cent of provincial GDP — only 2.2 per cent above the historical average since 2005.' Failing that, the NDP could always raise taxes. 'To sustain spending levels, government needs to take new revenue sources seriously — and many are available,' the BCGEU argues. 'Implementing a Land Value Tax, reforming the resource royalty system, increasing taxes on the wealthiest five per cent of people in B.C., hiring more provincial auditors, and taking an insourcing or buying local approach to government procurement.' Finance Minister Brenda Bailey chose not to rise to the union's bait, instead expressed faith in the collective bargaining process. 'I am hopeful the parties will return to the table soon,' she said in a brief media statement. 'It is best to keep the bargaining discussions at the table so the parties can focus on reaching a settlement.' Privately, the New Democrats fret that the BCGEU, usually one of the more conciliatory public service unions, has taken the kind of hard-line position associated with the B.C. Teachers' Federation. The government recruited former cabinet minister, and former BCGEU president, George Heyman on a $58,000 contract as an 'advocate' on public sector bargaining. He is still in there advocating, I'm told. But to date there is no evidence of reconciliation between the government Heyman once served as a minister and the union he once led. vpalmer@
CBC
31-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Negotiations between union, employer 'definitely not moving forward' in LifeLabs strike: BCGEU rep
Nearly six weeks after workers went on strike, negotiations between LifeLabs and the union that represents about 1,200 of its workers aren't going well, according to a member of the union's bargaining committee. Wendy Cummer, a medical laboratory technologist in Kamloops, B.C., and a B.C. General Employees Union (BCGEU) bargaining committee member said talks "are definitely not moving forward at this point." "The sides are very far apart," she said. "We can't go back to our members with an offer if it doesn't give them what they need." The strike began on Feb. 16, resulting in rotating closures at locations across the province and, in turn, forcing customers who need lab work to play a game of chance when they head to a LifeLabs location. BCGEU bargaining committee chair Mandy De Fields said negotiations for better wages and changes to working conditions began in March 2024. "It's been a long haul," she said. The BCGEU represents about 1,200 workers at LifeLabs across the province, the union said. Workers say they have been without a contract since April 1, 2024. The BCGEU said LifeLabs workers are paid four to 16 per cent less than counterparts at hospitals and other companies. For example, De Fields said, lab assistants, the public-facing staff who help with specimen collection, start at $4/hr less than people doing the same job in the hospital. In Kamloops, Cummer said, this means LifeLabs is often short-staffed after people leave for better paying jobs. "They need pay and working conditions that allow us to hire and retain qualified people, not hire someone and then lose them in a few months when they realize the stress of working short all the time." The union said people are skipping meal and washroom breaks and are working forced overtime as a result. In an emailed statement to CBC News, LifeLabs confirmed negotiations are ongoing but would not comment on the status of those conversations. The company did not answer questions about the impact to customers but instead pointed to their online " location finder" designed to let people know which locations are open during the strike. Last summer, LifeLabs was purchased by Quest Diagnostics, an American company, for approximately $1.35 billion Cdn. Cummer, who has worked at LifeLabs in Kamloops for 33 years, said customers are also feeling the consequences of staffing shortages with increased wait times, lineups for walk-in appointments and long waits to get results. "We are an essential service in British Columbia," she said. "We are fighting for ourselves and our patients."
