National Union pledges $5 million strike fund to striking community social services workers

Striking community social services workers belonging to the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union and Health Sciences Association got a boost from their national union yesterday.

The 320,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is putting its $5 million strike fund at the disposal of the striking workers, should they need it. The BCGEU and HSA are components of NUPGE.

"We are proud to stand with you," James Clancy, NUPGE president, said in a message to the striking workers. "Community social services workers are fighting as much for their communities, and the services they deliver, as they are for their own contract.

"We know the communities you serve will thank you, in the end, for taking this action on their behalf."

Ten thousand community social services workers in B.C. resumed job action with a full-scale strike on May 3 after a week of negotiations failed to produce a settlement. Only essential services are being provided. The key issue in the dispute is to end wage and benefit discrimination for workers in the sector.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees and Hospital Employees' Union also represent community social services workers.

For more information contact:
Rebecca Maurer, Director of Communications
(604) 439-0994