Provincial community social services workers voted in favour of strike action, but the 10 unions representing the workers have yet to set the date they plan to walk off the job.
About 15,000 workers, including about 500 in Prince George, have been without a contract since March and talks broke down last month. In the community living services sector, workers voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike mandate according to results released on Monday, while in the general sector 85 per cent of workers supported strike action.
The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) is the largest of the 10 unions, representing about two-thirds of the workers who are employed at more than 200 government social service agencies. BCGEU representative James Cavalluzzo said wages, benefits and sick leave are the biggest issues in the current talks.
Another BCGEU branch was active in Prince George on the weekend seeking signatures for a petition against the proposed privatization of the provincial liquor distribution system. The union plans to have more petition blitzes later this summer.
