The strike by public servants in British Columbia (BC), which has been ongoing since the 2nd of this month, is set to expand. On September 12, the BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU) announced that it would ban overtime work at several warehouses of the Liquor Distribution Authority.
The overtime ban takes effect immediately and applies to distribution centres in Delta, Richmond and Kamloops, as well as the Liquor Distribution Authority headquarters in Burnaby, where beer, wine and spirits are distributed to liquor stores, bars, pubs and restaurants, according to the statement.
The BCGEU is also picketing government buildings and businesses across the province, including Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Kamloops, and Kelowna. With the expansion of the strike to liquor warehouses, the number of union members participating in the strike will exceed 6,000.
The BCGEU represents more than 34,000 public servants, including firefighters, social workers, corrections and sheriffs, administrative staff, and conservation officers. BCGEU President Paul Finch said in a statement: “Public servants should not be burdened with the cost-of-living crisis while the government enjoys record alcohol revenues.”
The union is seeking an 8.25% pay increase over two years, plus cost-of-living allowances and the right to work remotely, but the state’s latest offer is only about half that amount, the union said.