B.C. Labour Day: Many government workers still without a contract

Labour Day is a time to reflect on some of the rights earned for workers by previous generations of unions and their members. It’s also a time to check in on the state of labour negotiations, as many unionized workers are working without a contract in British Columbia.

When kids head back to school Tuesday, their teachers will be working without a new deal; If you have to go head to hospital, the nurse treating you is part of a union whose contract expired in March.

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Then there’s the BC General Employees Union, which is also still in talks. That particular dispute is what led to disruptions at liquor distribution sites around the province in recent weeks, as BCGEU members took strike action while the union pursues an inflation-proof new contract.

Despite those realities, provincial Labour Minister Harry Bains is confident negotiations can lead to new deals.

“I believe in free collective bargaining,” Bains told CityNews on Labour Day.

“Our government firmly believes in free collective bargaining, and that’s exactly what is going on. And we want to give an opportunity to the parties at the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.”

Bains says regardless of what unions B.C. workers are part of, they know they have a government that will negotiate in good faith.

“I think bargaining will continue, but I’m happy that the progress is being made, and I think we will hear more in coming days and weeks,” he said.

The provincial government made a tentative agreement with the Hospital Employees Union, however, it is yet to be solidified.

With files from Angela Bower