Title: B.C. Public Service Union to Intensify Job Action After Talks Fail

VICTORIA — Contract negotiations between the British Columbia government and the union representing public service workers ended abruptly on Monday. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, reported that government negotiators arrived three hours late and provided minimal improvements to previous contract proposals.

Finch, who also chairs the public service bargaining committee, expressed frustration over the government's approach. He stated that the union plans to "escalate sharply" its job actions due to the perceived "disrespect" from the government. Speaking to union members outside a government office in Victoria, Finch remarked that the two sides were not even in the same "ballpark."

"Our first impulse was, we came back to them and said, 'maybe there's been a mistake, you've clearly called us back to the table,'" Finch told the crowd. He indicated that the union had requested the negotiators to return to the government for a revised offer, but they came back without a "real offer."

"I'd say we are incredibly disappointed. I think this was — in my view — a cheap stunt. There's no point in calling us back to the table if you are not going to present something materially different," Finch added.

The union is preparing for larger demonstrations, which may include support from other unions in the coming days. Finch mentioned the possibility of a rally outside the B.C. legislature when lawmakers reconvene on October 6.

The BCGEU has been engaged in job action for four weeks. The government had invited the union back to negotiations last Friday. The union is seeking wage increases totaling 8.25 percent over two years but countered the government's offer with a proposal for a four percent increase each year over the same period.

Picket lines remain active, affecting about one-third of provincial liquor stores, liquor and cannabis distribution warehouses, and various government offices across British Columbia. Approximately 15,000 of the union's 34,000 members are participating in some form of job action, which includes an overtime ban and picketing activities.