B.C. government experts including engineers, foresters expand strike provincewide

The union representing British Columbia's professionals, including engineers, foresters and geoscientists, says those members have joined public service workers in strike action across the province.

The Professional Employees Association says in a statement that its roughly 1,000 members working in ministries such as health, mining, transportation and resource stewardship are now on picket lines.

The association had previously joined job action by the BC General Employees' Union in the dispute with the province by picketing a number of government offices in Victoria, Metro Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George and other communities.

Melissa Moroz, the association's executive director and lead negotiator, says in the statement that its members help keep the public service running and they "deserve fair compensation and a government that values their expertise."

The union says its members are experts in a number of scientific, technical and legal areas that support public safety, environmental protection and infrastructure development.

Its expansion of job action comes a day after the BCGEU escalated its strike to include all government liquor and cannabis retail stores as well all Service BC workers, handling tasks such as drivers licensing and income assistance.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito