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VICTORIA \u2014 The union representing licensed professionals in British Columbia says its latest escalation of strike action could result in \u201ccostly delays\u201d in projects such as the expansion of the high-profile Red Chris mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professional Employees Association executive director Melissa Moroz says engineers, geoscientists and mining inspectors are among those now on the picket lines as all but its essential members take strike action.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moroz says those professionals support projects such as the Red Chris copper and gold mine in northwestern B.C., one of five national-interest projects that was identified to fast-track by Prime Minister Mark Carney for its potential to strengthen Canada\u2019s role as a reliable supplier of copper.<\/p>\n
She says their strike will present a \u201cproblem\u201d for the mine\u2019s expansion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The union has been striking alongside thousands of members of the BC General Employees\u2019 Union, with more than 1,600 professionals now off the job in the latest escalation.<\/p>\n
The BCGEU announced its own escalation Thursday, adding 370 workers to picket lines, and with 25,000 of its members strike, union president Paul Finch says that\u2019s a \u201cnear-full walkout.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the BCGEU strike has led to weakened confidence by small businesses in the province.<\/p>\n
The federation\u2019s October survey shows B.C. businesses expect poorer performances in the months ahead, second-lowest in the country after Alberta.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The federation says restaurants and bars have been especially hard hit with the shutdown of B.C.\u2019s provincial liquor distribution network, and the group is calling for the province to resolve the strike and improve access to private supply.<\/p>\n
Moroz says talks between the PEA and the province broke off earlier this week after government did not improve its offer, and the union had no choice but to step up the pressure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that our escalation shows government that our members are serious,\u201d she said during an announcement of the latest job action on Thursday. \u201cWe\u2019ve never had this kind of strike before. We\u2019re hoping the employer takes note and comes back to the bargaining table and makes a reasonable offer so that we can get a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professionals with the union are employed across several provincial ministries including Health, Attorney General, Mining and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.<\/p>\n
The union said talks broke down Tuesday when government negotiators didn\u2019t increase a wage offer of 3.5 per cent over two years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n