Unions and B.C. government gear up for tough negotiations

[Castanet News]

Unions representing about 400,000 B.C. public sector workers are set to negotiate new contracts this year as the provincial government struggles with big...

[24689603]

This will be interesting, isn’t the NDP the union’s party, having them negotiating hard is going to put Eby and his cronies under pressure to do the dirty on the public to satisfy the unions

[ljuzelman]

We need DOGE to go into their offices to clean up the mess.

[phosphorous]

DOGE-em!

Although, that would require a government not dependent on public sector voters, and leadership looking for government efficiency which is an oxymoron. The only efficiency for government is less of it.

[djack57]

Let's hope the BCGEU and all other government unions pay attention this round of bargaining. The tax paying public has NO interest in large wage or benefit increases, until the threats posed by Trump and company are removed. If they have to make do with little or no increases, to bad; the people paying for them are all in the same boat. They should be thankful the CTF hasn't hired an outside efficiency expert to look over the governments organization chart, with a mind to remove all but necessary positions.

[Lumby Glen]

Eby has added hundreds of new civil service jobs though not at the astonishing rate Trudeau did federally (+40%). For example, the wildfire service now has 600 permanent employees, up from 25 when it was formed. I'm young enough to remember the cuts of 1981 where the bottom 1/3 of the BC provincial civil service was cut because of the recession. Big government is no longer affordable.

[toyota20]

It should be easy for Eby to determine new wages. Just give them the same percentage you gave to all your ministers. Fair is fair, right Eby?

[andymcd]

Totally agree with djack57. All raises come from tax payers. If all of the tariffs are imposed then everybody is going to have to pull together and curtail your expectations.

[Hella Krusty]

" The provincial government says it must work toward balancing its budget as it grapples with a deficit," ....a DEFICIT they made .

Eby and the NDP will have us all in tents

[Foyulp]

Just pay up, employers. 5% minimum per year.

[Babba_not_Gump]

Just pay up, employers. 5% minimum per year.

You the taxpayer is the employer. Can you afford to give them 5%?

[Hella Krusty]

Totally agree with djack57. All raises come from tax payers. If all of the tariffs are imposed then everybody is going to have to pull together and curtail your expectations.

no ...you are going to have to buy Canadian and tariffs mean squat

[Phoenix2971]

Too any government workers - taxpayers just can’t afford them anymore. Be smart -now is not the time to ask for more!

[Ironyisnotdead]

The corporate CEOs and directors must be laughing all the way to the bank that you’re happy to be such hapless and willing tools. Always picking the wrong enemy. Want a wage freeze? How about a price and profit freeze for the oil companies and grocery chains making record profits? Or a cap on CEO pay at 10 times the highest paid regular worker? Want your CPP to not be indexed?
Where does inflation start? Not with workers. They’re just trying to keep up. Get a clue. You’re getting robbed of thousands but so easily distracted by someone asking for pennies.

[WalkAbout24]

Why do we need 400,000 government workers in a province of only 5 million? That's one worker for every 12 citizens. Seems like a lot to me!