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BCGEU issues 72-hour strike notice at Justice Institute Store

The strike notice was issued after an impasse was reached in bargaining, and the employer chose to walk away from the bargaining table rather than engage in further negotiations.

Vancouver (19 Jan. 2017) — Members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has served 72-hour strike notice to the employer, on behalf of the members who work at the store located in the Justice Institute. The store is operated by JM Project Management.

Strike possible as employer walks away from bargaining

BCGEU/NUPGE members at the store will be in a legal position to strike effective January 19 as the strike notice was issued to the Labour Relations Board on January 16. This does not mean there will necessarily be a strike starting on that date.

The strike notice was issued after an impasse was reached in bargaining, and the employer chose to walk away from the bargaining table rather than engage in further negotiations.

BCGEU/NUPGE is committed to providing 24-hours' notice to Justice Institute members if, and when, strike action is undertaken. The union asks that should members encounter a picket line, please do not cross it. A picket line is a picket line, and the collective agreement provides the right the right not to cross a picket line.

Priority in bargaining was to achieve parity with similar workplaces in B.C.

Members at the store are looking to negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement for the work they do. Justice Institute store workers are seeking parity with other stores located at post-secondary institutions in B.C., such as Douglas College.

While a strike notice has been issued, BCGEU/NUPGE remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached without resorting to job action. The strike notice was issued so that BCGEU/NUPGE members can be in a position to withdraw their services should that become necessary.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 370,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE