BCGEU members praised as ‘real MVPs’ as ratification vote begins

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Civil workers in the province have begun to vote on ratifying the provincial government’s tentative deal with the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU).

The vote began on Thursday, November 6th and will be conducted through the software system Simply Voting until next Thursday, November 13th.

BCGEU president Paul Finch said in a press release the vote is the “result of the unity and determination of members who stood together” throughout an eight-week strike which began in September.

“The resolve of public service workers is what got us to the point of a tentative agreement and the crucial next step in this democratic process is for each member to vote on its ratification,” said Finch.

In Fort St. John, Judy Fox-McGuire said the voting started after the conclusion of town halls to inform members of the finer points of the tentative agreement which were held throughout last week.

Fox-McGuire is the component six vice-president, dealing with social, cultural, educational, information technology, research, healthcare delivery and associated direct technical support workers and a member of the BCGEU’s bargaining committee.

“There were questions,” said Fox-McGuire. “[There were] really well thought out questions. [It] demonstrated that people were clearly reading the memorandum of settlement that we sent out and all the documents that we sent out.

“It was mostly just questions and seeking understanding [about the agreement].”

The tentative deal struck between the BCGEU and the province included terms over remote work, a quicker grievance process, improved job protections and a three per cent wage increase over four years.

However, an economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, equated the wage increase to “treading water” in an interview with the Tyee.

Initially affecting just civil workers in B.C., the strike eventually affected consumers as well, as government liquor and cannabis stores – alongside other government departments – shuttered throughout the province, including in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.

Fox-McGuire said the unity and solidarity seen throughout the strike is something she will remember, saying union members are “the real MVPs.”

“The membership really did come together,” said Fox-McGuire. “They were out there for eight weeks on the picket line. The whole time we were negotiating a deal for them. We had to bring home a deal that made it worth it for them.” 

The results of the ratification votes will be released next week.