BCGEU, provincial government agree to non-binding mediation

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Both parties involved in a seven-week strike surrounding the province’s public service workers have agreed to non-binding mediation.

Both the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the province’s Ministry of Finance agreed to the mediation in an effort to resolve issues which began after the September long weekend.

Once only involving government civil workers, escalating job action has seen other industries – including government-owned cannabis and liquor stores – shut down, including in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge.

The union represents 489 workers in northeast B.C., designated by the union as ‘Area 10’.

The main sticking point between the two sides is a wage increase. BCGEU representatives are looking for an 8.25 per cent increase over two years, while the government has offered just four per cent over the same time.

This comes after a strike escalation on October 16th which saw more Dawson Creek workers joining the picket line.

Judy Fox-McGuire of the BCGEU says the announcement is “comforting” for members who want a fair deal.

A resident of Fort St. John, Fox-McGuire is the component six vice-president and part of the BCGEU’s public service bargaining committee. 

After receiving the news of mediation on Thursday afternoon, Fox-McGuire and other members of the committee had to vote to approve the move to mediation.

“I have been visiting the picket lines,” said Fox-McGuire. “ [I have been] helping my members who are on the picket lines going into the seventh week.

“I shouldn’t be optimistic…[I am] comfortable with it as a solution. It is non-binding mediation, which means that you know our members are going to ultimately vote on it. That gives me comfort.”

The mediation will be overseen by Vincent L. Ready and Amanda Rogers. Both are accredited members of the Arbitrators Association of British Columbia, with its website saying Ready has presided over 7,000 instances of arbitration throughout his career.

Meanwhile, Rogers specializes in workplace conflict resolution in an arbitration and mediation practice alongside Ready.

“Anybody in labour is very familiar with Vince Ready,” said Fox-McGuire. “He’s been at it for a long time. He’s pretty well respected in the labour community.”

A statement from the Ministry of Finance on Friday, October 17th states mediation is “an effort to find a resolution to the current dispute between the parties that has resulted in the public-service strike.”

The statement reads: “The strike is having an impact on the public, businesses and employees, and the government is committed to reaching a fair agreement that works for everyone.”

Details about when and where the mediation will be held have not been announced publicly.