The union representing professionals who work for the B.C. government is declaring an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations and plans to hold a strike vote.
The Professional Employees Association (PEA) represents roughly 1,800 provincial government workers in roles such as geoscientists, foresters, engineers and psychologists. The union's current agreement with the government expired on March 31.
This is the second union to announce a strike vote after the B.C. government offered several unions two-year agreements with a 3.5 per cent overall wage increase. Both the PEA and the B.C General Employees Union (BCGEU), which represents 34,000 core public service workers, will hold strike votes from Aug. 11 to 29.
The PEA says the government's current wage offer does not keep up with inflation.
“The government talks about standing strong for B.C., but when it comes to investing in the very professionals who make that possible, they refuse to pay fair wages,” said Melissa Moroz, PEA executive director and lead negotiator, in a news release.
The BCGEU and the PEA both countered the government's 3.5 per cent two-year offer with four per cent in year one and another 4.25 per cent in year two.
"The work performed by professionals needs to get done," Moroz said in an email. "Cutting back isn’t an option. If our members aren’t paid to do it, the province will need to hire contractors and that costs taxpayers more money."
Moroz said that wage increases are the number one priority, but the PEA is also seeking professional fee coverage, protections against contracting out, and compensation for emergency work.
B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said in an email to Black Press that the government believes agreements will be reached through the collective bargaining process.
"Part of that process can include a union taking a strike vote, and we respect the PEA’s prerogative to do that," she said. "I am hopeful the parties will return to the table soon – it’s best to keep the bargaining discussions at the table so the parties can focus on reaching a settlement.”
