B.C. union leader says ‘high probability’ of dispute in public sector contract talks

Wage increases that address affordability issues will be the major focus of contract talks between British Columbia public service workers and the provincial government, says a union leader who forecasts difficult times ahead.The first round of bargaining between the B.C. General Employees’ Union, representing thousands of government workers in the Public Service Agency, and workers from sheriffs to social workers, started Wednesday.