B.C.’s largest public-sector union pulls mediator from talks with government

VANCOUVER – The largest public-sector union in British Columbia says it has asked a mediator to “book out” of contract talks with the provincial government.

The B.C. Government Employees Union says two days of mediation this week failed to produce any meaningful progress.

Both sides have been talking since January, but negotiations are deadlocked over several issues, including wages.

Union members voted 82 per cent in favour of job action last month to back contract demands.

Mediator Debbie Cameron was then appointed to try to resolve the dispute.

The union representing about 65,000 members says its bargaining committee did not take the decision lightly but has exhausted all its options.