Highways workers 95% in favour of strike action in Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon

Highways workers in the Fraser Valley service area have given their bargaining committee an overwhelming strike mandate.

Last week members of the BCGEU employed by Emil Anderson Maintenance Company voted 95% in favour of strike action.

The 135 workers employed by Emil Anderson are responsible for maintaining more than 2,400 kilometres of roads and highways in the eastern Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon including Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Manning Park, Hope and Boston Bar.

"We have negotiated fair contracts with 23 highways contractors around the province," said George Heyman, BCGEU president. "Emil Anderson needs to come back to the table with a fair offer and accept the provincial framework that was established with the help of mediator Vince Ready."

Emil Anderson is looking for concessions and is unwilling to increase salaries for the auxiliary workers on whom it increasingly relies.

"Now that we are in the winter driving season Emil Anderson needs to ensure that the most experienced road crews are on the roads," Heyman said. "The best way to do that is to offer a fair contract to highways workers and their families."

In the event of job action BCGEU members will maintain essential service levels and respond to emergency situations in the region.

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