90.1% of BC's health science professionals have voted in favour of taking job action in support of efforts to negotiate a fair contract. Health science professionals are represented by HSA, HEU, BCGEU, PEA, and CUPE. The HSPBA will return to bargaining in January with these results in hand.
“There is still work to be done,” said Melissa Moroz. “The issues that remain at our bargaining table include establishing a classification system that values professional experience, improving retention and recruitment, and ensuring fair compensation for emergency-related work.”
“Our members have shown incredible resolve,” said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the PEA. “By standing together for the value of their work and the services they provide to British Columbians, they have strengthened the collective voice of public service professionals across the province.”
PEA Strike Action Escalation: Pattullo Bridge
The PEA filed an application to the BC Labour Relations Board to begin picketing at the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project construction site. We will use every tool at our disposal to keep the pressure on the Employer to get a fair deal for members.
Daajing Giids in Haida Gwaii is on the picket line. PEA and BCGEU public service workers are important to this entire province ✊
Solidarity online matters! Thank you to everyone who has been posting, sharing, and creating content. Our virtual picket line created this great list of member run accounts to follow along with some great hashtags below ✊#CrushTheWageGap #BCGEU #PEA #BCStrike #FairWagesBC #PublicServiceStrike
Day 31: Thank you to everyone on the Victoria picket lines who came down to support our press conference at 525 and 545 Superior Street this morning. We had an incredible turnout from both the PEA and BCGEU, support from Paul Finch (BCGEU) and Sussanne Skidmore (BCFED) and full media coverage .
Day 30: The PEA and BCGEU picket line in Chilliwack decided to go all plaid for the strike.Because nothing says solidarity like matching flannel. 💪 #PlaidForThePicket #SolidarityInStyle #StrikeStrong
Day 29: Thank you to everyone that came out in Victoria this morning to walk the bargaining committee over to meet the Employer at the bargaining table. It was a powerful show of solidarity and a reminder that we are strongest when we stand together. #letsgetadeal
Day 28: Our long standing picket in Surrey has had a great show of solidarity from unions, allies and friends over the last six weeks. Honk if you see our PEA members out there on the picket lines. We are now 1000 workers strong across the province. No picket lines on Monday, October 13.
“Our members provide the expertise that keeps the public service running and the province safe,” said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the PEA and lead negotiator. “They deserve fair compensation and a government that values their expertise.”
Day 24: What an incredible show of strength and solidarity.
Today, PEA and @BCGEU public service workers were joined by allies from across the labour movement and filled the streets of Victoria to demand fair compensation and investment in the public service.
✊ #Solidarity #FairDealNow
Among those escalating job action are close to 300 government civil lawyers from the Attorney General’s offices in Victoria. They play an important role in ensuring the provincial government operates in a fair and lawful manner and in upholding and advancing the rule of law.
On October 1, striking PEA members marched with the BCGEU to call on the provincial government to return to the table with a fair offer. Join us to march and rally in solidarity on October 6 in Victoria. Gather at 11 AM at Centennial Square for the march. Rally at the Legislature starts 12 PM.
FUND THE FRONTLINES - MARCH ON THE LEGISLATURE
Monday, October 6
Gather at 11 AM at Centennial Square for the march. Rally at the Legislature in Victoria starts 12 PM.
✊ Join us for a march on the Legislature on October 6 when the fall legislative session begins.
Day 21: An incredible show of solidarity today as public service workers united for a march and rally in downtown Vancouver. One day longer, one day stronger. @bcgeu #solidarity #onstrike
Day 20: PEA members on the line in Nanaimo, Prince George and across the province are staying strong in their determination to win a strong collective agreement.
Day 19: An incredible show of solidarity today in Victoria at the BCGEU and PEA press conference where our allies stood beside us during the fourth week of public service job action. The BCGEU returns to the bargaining table on Monday but our picket lines will remain up until a fair deal is reached.
Day 18: More great placards from across the province from our PEA picket lines! Keep them coming and get your signs ready for the rally and march in Vancouver on October 1.
Fund the Frontlines | March & Rally
Wednesday, October 1 – March 12 PM, Rally 1 PM
March begins at Vancouver Art Gallery, rally at Jack Poole Plaza
Join the BCGEU and PEA and help turn up the pressure on government to come back to the table with a fair deal.
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Day 17: Yesterday engineers from the Ministry of Transportation at 1500 Wooldridge in Coquitlam joined the picket lines - super strong, loud and proud with the @bcgeu #solidarityforever
“BC’s forests, waters, and lands are the foundation of our communities and economy,” said Melissa Moroz, PEA Executive Director. “These professionals are the experts who safeguard these resources, and the government must keep them in the public service to ensure BC’s future is protected.”
Day 16: New picket lines went up across the province today including engineers from the Ministry of Transportation in Victoria at 940 Blanshard. Thanks to CUPE workers from the downtown library for respecting the picket line. The GLP's pharmacists put up their first picket lines in Victoria.
“British Columbians expect safe roads, reliable bridges, and responsible spending,” said Melissa Moroz. “That can only happen with qualified professionals on the job. It’s time for the government to make fair compensation a priority so these experts can get back to work.” bit.ly/4nej5gf
Day 15: Agrologists, Engineers, Foresters, and Geologists in Smithers have been holding the picket line with BCGEU
Day 14: Kathleen from the Prince George picket line continues to crush it with the original placard signs. But there is some new competition for best placard from the Kamloops picket line. Send us your best signs! One day longer, one day stronger.
"We need a strong public service. Our message to the BC government is simple. You cannot build the future without us. And so we will stand on these picket lines, united with BCGEU, until a fair deal is reached." www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdgL...
Picketers at 900 Howe St in Vancouver
PEA member with a BCGEU member in Fort St John.
PEA members in Fort St John.
Day 12: members on picket lines in Cranbrook, Fort St John, and Vancouver showed their commitment to achieving a strong collective agreement.
“Governments are calling for the critical minerals industry to drive economic growth,” said Melissa Moroz, PEA Executive Director. “But that growth must go hand in hand with investing in the professionals who make the government’s promises on mining and critical minerals possible.”
