Community social services workers around the province have voted strongly in favour of job action to back their bargaining proposals. Members in General Services have voted 85 per cent in favour of strike action. Members in Community Living Services voted 90 per cent in favour.
“This sends a clear message to the provincial government that a fair and reasonable settlement is long overdue. Our members deserve a fair deal and these results show that they’re prepared to stand up and fight for it,” says CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill.
Negotiations broke down in early June between the provincial government, employers and the 10 unions representing B.C.’s 15,000 community social services workers. Community social service workers provide services to men and women, children and families, youth, people with physical or developmental disabilities and First Nations in towns across British Columbia. They are the lowest paid workers in the broad public sector.
Outstanding issues include: wages, benefits, sick leave and reimbursable expenses. The employer was also demanding concessions and wanted to remove improvements negotiated in the last round of bargaining.
“This sends a clear message to the provincial government that a fair and reasonable settlement is long overdue. Our members deserve a fair deal and these results show that they’re prepared to stand up and fight for it,” says CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill.
Negotiations broke down in early June between the provincial government, employers and the 10 unions representing B.C.’s 15,000 community social services workers. Community social service workers provide services to men and women, children and families, youth, people with physical or developmental disabilities and First Nations in towns across British Columbia. They are the lowest paid workers in the broad public sector.
Outstanding issues include: wages, benefits, sick leave and reimbursable expenses. The employer was also demanding concessions and wanted to remove improvements negotiated in the last round of bargaining.