Surrey corrections officers join province-wide BCGEU strike, demanding fair wages and stronger agreements as job action spreads across 22 B.C. sites.
Corrections Officers Take to the Picket Line
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, dozens of corrections officers and supporters rallied outside Surrey Pretrial Services Centre. Their picket line was one of 14 new sites announced by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), bringing the total strike locations across the province to 22.
The Surrey facility, a high-security remand centre for men awaiting trial, is staffed by BC Corrections officers who belong to the BCGEU. Their presence marks a significant escalation in the province-wide strike.
Why Workers Are on Strike
The BCGEU and the Professional Employees’ Association (PEA) kicked off job action on Sept. 2, after both unions’ collective agreements expired at the end of March. Under an existing agreement with the government, only selected workers are walking off the job to ensure essential services remain intact.
Talks with the PEA collapsed earlier this summer when the union said the government refused to tackle key issues, such as wage increases, reimbursement for mandatory licensing fees, and reducing reliance on contractors.
For the BCGEU, negotiations with the BC Public Service Agency started back in January but fell apart by mid-July.
What the Unions Are Demanding
Union leaders argue their proposals are fair. They are asking for a 4% wage increase in Year 1 and 4.25% in Year 2. Paul Finch, BCGEU president, called the government’s counteroffer — 1.5% in the first year and 2% in the second — “far short of addressing members’ needs.”
The government recently released figures showing its latest offer adds up to about 4.5% over two years once extra adjustments for lower-paid workers are included. Officials point out that when combined with the last agreement, workers have already received raises above inflation over a five-year period.
Strike Continues to Spread
Union leaders remain firm. “Our members are standing strong on the picket lines,” said Melissa Moroz, executive director of the PEA. She added that members are ready to escalate job action until a “serious offer” is made.
Support for the strike has also grown. Members of other unions, including the BC Nurses’ Union and the Health Sciences Association, have joined workers on the lines.
For now, the strike is designed to keep the pressure on government operations while limiting disruption for the public. But as more sites join in, the standoff shows no signs of slowing.
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