NDP Constituency Assistants Prepare For Strike Vote

Wawmeesh G. Hamilton Black Press PORT ALBERNI — Constituency assistants in BC NDP ridings have rejected a three-year contract agreement and are set to take a strike vote.

The strike would impact the Alberni-Pacific Rim constituency office operated by NDP MLA Scott Fraser.

However, constituency assistant Patty Edwards says it’s business as usual for now.

“There will be no disruption to constituents’ services,” she said.

MLAs hire their own constituency assistants, who in turn are represented by the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU).

The 35 sitting NDP MLAs are represented by MLAs Raj Chouhan and Bill Routley.

The assistants decided to go to a strike vote in early July after they rejected a tentative three-year agreement that included a two per cent pay increase.

According to the BCGEU website, the agreement expired in 2009.

“If they vote in favour of a strike then it won’t happen right away,” BCGEU spokesperson Oliver Rohlfs said.

“The BCGEU will call for a mediator.”

The sticking point in negotiations is the issue of wages, Rohlfs said.

According to their collective agreement, the assistants receive between $20-22 an hour.

“The assistants want increased compensation that reflects what MLAs received,” he said. “It’s fair to say that two per cent over three years was disappointing — it’s even under the rate of inflation.”

The wage increase that was offered is fair, Chouhan said.

“It’s in line with other public sector bargaining,” he said.

The collective agreement with assistants includes a clause specifying wage parity with party caucus workers in Victoria who make $24-25 per hour.

“This offer meets that threshold – they would have the same rate of pay,” Chouhan said.
An offer was made, it’s been rejected and now a strike vote is being taken which will likely lead to mediation.

“This isn’t an unusual situation with the collective bargaining process,” he said.

Constituents will still have access to their MLAs through email and phone in the event of job action, Chouhan said.

Ballots are being circulated among the assistants, and the strike vote will be tallied at the BCGEU offices on Aug. 13.