May 01, 2004

British Columbia is facing a major crisis Monday as health care workers currently on strike will given a vote of support by thousands of unionized public-sector employees who plan to walkout in a display of solidarity.

On Friday, sporadic walkouts across the province shut down schools and brought municipal services to a grinding halt. Monday's planned action promises to be worse. Monday is being touted as "Community Action Day", by CUPE, who plan to to send a clear message to Premier Campbell and Bill 37 which orders hospital workers back to work and imposes a wage settlement.

Up to 110,000 workers could be off the job Monday, sending a very clear message to the Liberal government.

CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill said “British Columbia is in chaos because of an intransigent, confrontational government, not because working people have decided to stand and be counted as being against the kind of heartless, unfair province the Liberals want to create.”

“This protest is about defending public health care and the fundamental rights of working people – both badly trampled by Bill 37”, says HEU secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt. “And to be joined today by members of the CUPE family and other trade unionists and community members was truly inspiring".

Bill 37 orders Hospital Employees (HEU) Union members back to work, lengthens their work week, rolls back wages by 15 per cent and allows for HEU jobs to be tendered out to the private sector.