LRB appoints mediator in contract talks with B.C. government

Following a request from the BCGEU, the B.C. Labour Relations Board has appointed a mediator to assist in negotiations with the B.C. government.

Debbie Cameron, Director of Mediation at the LRB, will begin mediating the negotiations on Tuesday June 12. Mediation is scheduled to continue on June 13th and 15th.

Mediation follows three days of bargaining last week in Victoria that saw little progress.

“We are still far apart on substantive issues,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “We are committed to working with the mediator so we can narrow the differences and reach a fair and reasonable agreement.”

In May, BCGEU members voted 82 per cent in favour of job action to back the union's contract proposals.

“We will exhaust all options before initiating job action. If mediation fails to produce an agreement, job action will occur,” says Walker.

The BCGEU and the B.C. government have been negotiating since January 10. Members identified wage increases, job security and benefits as priorities.

Members should continue to monitor the BCGEU website for bargaining updates.

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