Union seeking ‘essential service’ designation
Servicing staff at the BC Nurses Union (BCNU), represented by Unifor, are set to join administration staff on the picket lines today, if no deal has been reached.
Last week, 100 per cent of the staff voted to approve a strike mandate and the BCNU advised the B.C. Labour Relations Board it may walk out.
Administrative staff at the BCNU went on strike beginning July 22.
“The managers at BCNU have left us little choice but to withdraw our labour until we can make some progress in negotiations,” said Mario Santos, Unifor national representative. Unifor represents lawyers, health and safety advocates, workers' compensation board advocates, educators and labour relations employees.
Bargaining between the BCNU and Unifor staff has been underway since early 2016. BCNU leaders locked out staff on July 22 the union has insisted it will seek “essential service” designation for servicing staff, said Unifor.
“Despite the unusual and melodramatic methods of this employer, we remain committed to bargaining in good faith to get to a fair deal,” said Santos. “Legal tricks and bluster won’t change our approach.”
