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B.C. public service workers issue strike notice

British Columbia’s government licensed professionals who work for the B.C. public service is issuing a 72-hour strike notice today.

The 1,200 licensed professionals include agrologists, engineers, foresters, geoscientists, pharmacists, psychologists, veterinarians, and more.

The Professional Employees Association (PEA), the union representing the professionals, entered bargaining with the Public Service Agency on April 11, and quickly reached impasse on May 16 when the association said wage proposals failed to address the rising cost of living. The licensed professionals then voted 92 per cent in favour of a strike in June.

“These licensed professionals rebuild bridges and roads, monitor B.C.’s forests and agriculture, and provide care to the province’s most vulnerable youth,” said Melissa Moroz, labour relations officer with the PEA. “We need their expertise more than ever to help keep the province safe.”

The decision to take job action is not something these scientific experts take lightly, the group said in a statement. But rising inflation and higher wages in the private sector have made it increasingly challenging to keep professionals in the B.C. public service, it added.

“It’s time for the B.C. government to invest in the workers who provide the services that the province relies on,” said Moroz. “These licensed professionals are taking job action because they want to see the cost of living addressed at the bargaining table.”

No details of the planned strike action are being released at this time.

Learn more: www.glpbargaining.ca.