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The BCGEU/NUPGE has proposed using deputy sheriffs in traffic safety and the expansion of public liquor store services. These two proposals would create savings and additional revenues of approximately $300 million annually.
Vancouver (21 June 2012) - Although major issues remain unresolved, three days of mediation at the B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB) has produced minor progress on some union proposals.
As a result the B.C. Government and Services Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has agreed to continue to work with the LRB Director of Mediation Debbie Cameron on June 21 and 22 in attempts to reach a collective agreement for government workers.
“Progress has been very, very slow. However, we are prepared to continue to work with the mediator,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “If mediation fails to produce real progress there will be job action.”
“If the provincial government really wants to avoid job action, it needs to address important, monetary issues in a meaningful way. Our members have not had a wage increase since April 2009. Inflation alone has eroded their spending power by more than five per cent over the last three years. We are not prepared to continue falling behind,” says Walker.
The BCGEU/NUPGE has proposed using deputy sheriffs in traffic safety and the expansion of public liquor store services. These two proposals would create savings and additional revenues of approximately $300 million annually. That is more than enough to fund a fair and reasonable new contract with our members. It would also produce extra revenue to fund important public services.
Although the provincial government says it wants to seek “cooperative gains” to fund improvements to the collective agreement, both of these proposals were rejected by government without explanation.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE