British Columbia Wants Labour Peace For Vancouver 2010 Games

Public sector unions in British Columbia (B.C.) are being offered $6 billion in wage increases over the next four years, but up to $1 billion will be taken off the table if unions don’t settle with the provincial government in the next four months - considered a bid for early labour peace in the crucial construction period leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, reports Canada.com.

Another $300 million will also be provided only if unions, representing about 300,000 public sector workers, enter into long-term deals stretching beyond the next provincial election and the Olympics.

Finance Minister Carole Taylor said, “I think it is very important for British Columbians to have certainty and stability”, adding that the province needs to put forward a peaceful image in 2010. “I do think the Olympics are in the back of our minds”.

Taylor described the $1 billion as “an incentive for early contracts” but warned “if by the end of March it’s not all spent because contracts haven’t (been) settled – that money, whatever is left, goes back to repaying the debt”.