Native court workers strike for equal pay

PRINCE GEORGE — First Nations court workers in B. C. are on strike, saying they are paid significantly less than other publicsector staff in similar jobs.

The starting salary for the position is $ 31,800 a year, compared to $ 45,100 for a comparable classification, according to the B. C. Government and Service Employees’ Union.

The union blames the difference on the failure of the B. C. government to bring the workers into the Community Social Services Employers’ Association ( CSSEA) Aboriginal bargaining unit when it was created in 2003.

“This dispute is fundamentally about a government wage policy that treats workers differently,” BCGEU president Stephanie Smith said.

“These workers are paid artificially low wages compared to their peers. It’s time for the government to fix this injustice.”

Workers in the bargaining unit also haven’t had a wage increase in five years, and have only seen a nine- per- cent pay hike since 2002, the BCGEU said.

“Our members have been patient, waiting for the B. C. government to do the right thing and treat them like other public employees,” Smith said. “But now they are saying enough is enough and are reluctantly taking job action to pressure the government to fix this discriminatory practice.”

The BCGEU represents 36 members employed by the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of B. C. They provide court services and counselling to aboriginal citizens in 20 communities across the province. They issued a 72- hour strike notice on Sept. 25.

So far, the two workers based in Prince George — Florence Henry and Christina Draegen — have limited their job action and spent Monday morning handing out information in front of the courthouse.

First Nations court workers help aboriginal clients navigate the criminal court system. Draegen said she handles about 1,000 files a year.

Darlene Shackelly, executive director of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of B. C., said her organization will be meeting with the Justice Ministry on Oct. 24 to state its case for more funding.

A native court worker’s salary peaks at $ 39,000 after four years, she said.