Public workers in BC have escalated strike action by picketing more provincial liquor and cannabis stores.
On Monday, workers set up picket lines at the BC Liquor Store and the BC Cannibas Store in Fort St. John. The BC General Employees’ Union says there are now more than 17,000 workers taking job action in their dispute with the province over a new contract.
Union President Paul Finch said that every day the government delays, pressure on public services will grow.
The union said it will continue to step up job action until the government comes back to bargaining table with a fair wage offer. Talks between the union and the province broke down last Monday, not long after they started.
The union says the new provincial offer had few meaningful changes, while the province says it’s trying to balance a fair deal with BC’s constrained fiscal situation.
The BC Liquor Store in Dawson Creek has been behind a picket line since last Friday.
The union says its members plan to rally at the legislature Monday when the government starts its fall session.
-M.Popove