/
/
/
/
/
Prince George rallies against Bill 21

Prince George rallies against Bill 21

PRINCE GEORGE – More than 150 workers and community supporters marched through downtown Prince George today protesting the B.C. government’s repressive Bill 21.

The march ended in a rally outside Prince George – Valemount MLA Shirley Bond’s Office at lunchtime. The marchers were cheered by car drivers honking their support.

Participants came from as far away as Prince Rupert, Fort St. John and Dawson Creek to voice their opposition to the Bill that stripped CUPE 873 ambulance paramedics of their right to strike while they were voting on an offer from the government. That marked a shameful first in Canadian labour history. The message to Bond and her fellow B.C. Liberal MLAs was clear – collective bargaining is a Charter right and Bill 21 takes this right away from workers across the province.

CUPE BC general vice-president Steve Storch reviewed the negative effects of the legislation on paramedics and the threat it poses for more than 200,000 public-sector workers entering into bargaining next year.

CUPE Northern Area District Council president Dan Weiman told the crowd about his volunteer rescue work and his experiences working side-by-side with rural paramedics. He voiced his outrage at the lack of respect the provincial government has shown our first responders and said it was shameful that part -time paramedics make less money than coffee shop workers.

Local Paramedics who joined the protest were heartened by the support from both the public and fellow union members.

At the end of the rally, the CUPE representatives tried to speak to Shirley Bond in her office – but were unsuccessful. They left their contact information and requested a meeting with her to follow up on their concerns.

cope491
Share this

Latest News

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

February 22, 2024
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life…
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life...

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

February 15, 2024
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage…
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage...

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

February 13, 2024
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing…
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing...