VICTORIA, B.C. — BC Greens Interim Leader Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky, has issued the following statement on current BCGEU Job Action:
“Life in BC is getting more expensive. We believe the Province must provide fair wages that increase at pace with the cost of living, leading to stronger public services.
“The BCGEU’s demands are in line with inflation and rising costs of housing, groceries, public transit, consumer goods, and tuition. The BC Greens have long called for a provincial wellbeing framework that prioritizes affordability, fairness, social health and environmental sustainability in balance with fiscal responsibility.”
“When we invest in people, we don’t just improve individual and collective wellbeing, we strengthen our entire economy. If Premier Eby is serious about BC being Canada’s economic engine, his government should support the workers who keep the engine running.”
“Public service workers should not have to strike to secure wages that keep pace with the costs they face. They deserve to know their government values their contributions, and British Columbians deserve strong, stable public services.”
“The government must come to the table with an offer that respects workers and recognizes the importance of their service. BCGEU members are not responsible for managing the Province’s deficit—this is the government’s job, and labour agreements should not be seen as an opportunity to cut costs. We can’t nickel and dime our way out of a system-wide economic challenge. How the government handles this could set the tone for labour action across the province.”
“The 40-hour work week, livable wages, and Labour Day—which we all enjoyed this past Monday—are products of job actions like this. A thriving economy starts with thriving workers, and the sooner the government recognizes that, the stronger our workforce and economy will be.”
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Media contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca