B.C. government workers plan to strike next week over stalled contract talks

VANCOUVER – Government workers in B.C. have staged several small-scale strikes over the summer, but next week they plan to go all out.

The union representing the workers says the entirety of its 27,000 members will stage a one-day strike on Sept. 5.

Officials with the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union say they will be joined by select Insurance Corporation of B.C. workers in the walkout.

There’s been little progress in ongoing negotiations between the province and union for a new collective agreement.

Smaller groups of unionized workers have already held brief strikes over the summer, including staff at the forests ministry earlier this month and those at several liquor distribution branches in July.

The union has rejected a two-year, 3.5 per cent wage increase proposal made by the government. (CKNW, The Canadian Press)