Demands for higher wages that keep pace with inflation are at the heart of the dispute.
The BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee has accepted the Public Service Agency’s invitation to return to the bargaining table.“This is a significant development, and it is the direct result of the pressure BCGEU members have applied, which includes the current job action and shows solidarity from BCGEU members and allies,” said the union in a news release.
However, the union says current job action will remain in effect until further notice, to keep the pressure on the government. A media blackout has been imposed on the talks, so neither side is commenting further on the negotiations. The BCGEU escalated job action yesterday, declaring an overtime ban on top of the targeted job action at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and wholesale centres.The last collective agreement expired on April 1.
Negotiations for a new contract started on Feb. 8 but reached an impasse on April 6. Members voted 95% in favour of job action on June 22, and the last round of talks broke down in July.