Safety-critical workers on strike in BC

34,000 members of BC General Employees' Union engaged in job action

Safety is at the forefront of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike, with workers hitting the picket lines at key government sites across British Columbia this week. The strike began Tuesday, the day after labour day, and the union has escalated job action with each passing day, drawing national attention.

“A lot of our members are critical to ensuring the health and safety of British Columbians, whether that’s correctional officers, wildland firefighters, conservation officers, sheriffs, probation officers, or social workers,” says Paul Finch, BCGEU president. “There’s more positions than I can name… not to mention all the environmental and geographic operations.”

Safety-sensitive roles at risk

The union’s jo