Members of our sibling union in British Columbia, the BCGEU, are on the picket line this week for meaningful cost-of-living protection for public service workers.
Their employer, the BC government, has rejected their proposal to include cost of living protection in their compensation package, despite the fact that every member of the legislature in BC has cost-of-living increases.
“OPSEU/SEFPO stands in solidarity with the public service workers of BC,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “It is inspiring to see members from so many other unions joining BCGEU picket lines as well. That’s the kind of broad labour movement organizing that is necessary for workers to win. You love to see it.”
Workers from across BC’s public sector, including teachers, nurses, hospital workers and more, are supporting BCGEU members as they go into bargaining for their own contracts. BC’s public sector unions have made it clear that their members also expect compensation that takes cost of living into account.
“It’s disappointing when a government that is supposed to be labour-friendly tries to shortchange public sector workers at the bargaining table and pushes them out on strike,” said Hornick. “It goes to show you that no matter who the employer is, workers need to stand together and push back when necessary. Hopefully this strike will remind the NDP BC government of their labour roots, and bring them back to the table with a reasonable offer.”
Here’s how you can support striking BCGEU public service workers:
If you’re in Ontario: Follow BCGEU on Facebook and Twitter and share their posts to amplify their message.
If you live in BC: visit the BCGEU website (bcgeu.ca) and use their customized tools to send your MLA a letter or a tweet in support of BCGEU members and all public sector workers.