Around 100 Nelson workers walked off the job yesterday, joining thousands of BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) members across the province who have been on strike for higher wages since Sept. 2.
The BCGEU represents about 34,000 public service workers in the province, from health care to prisons.
There are about 750 BCGEU members in the public service in the West Kootenay region and about 300 in Nelson alone.
About 100 of them are currently striking after the union expanded job action at 22 sites provincewide this week.
Workers have been picketing in front of the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Child and Family Services office at 566 Stanley St. since Tuesday morning.
BCGEU president Paul Finch said the 100 members on strike locally work at the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
Their jobs include child protection worker, child and youth mental health clinician, research analyst, income assistance intake worker and street outreach worker.
Finch said that while the union has set essential service numbers and chosen sites for job action with consideration of the needs of British Columbians, he warned it may result in service disruptions.
“BCGEU’s job action has taken great care to ensure the safety and well-being of British Columbians during this strike,” Finch said.
“At the same time, this job action may result in service disruptions. This highlights the critical nature of the work of these public servants.”
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