Premier David Eby Calls for Abattoirs to be Considered Essential Service Amid BCGEU Strike

Premier David Eby emphasized the need to designate abattoirs and animal inspectors as essential services during a press conference at the Highland Valley Copper Mine near Logan Lake. The strike by the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has halted meat processing in parts of the province, causing concerns over animal welfare and food security. Eby argued that the lack of designation has created an animal welfare issue, rather than a food security one, as most abattoirs in the province are federally inspected and will not interrupt food supplies. The premier stated that the government is working to address the issue and will make a request to the Labour Relations Board to designate abattoirs and their inspectors as essential services.

Key Takeaways:

• Premier David Eby has called for abattoirs and animal inspectors to be considered essential services amid the ongoing BCGEU strike.
• The strike has affected 12 meat processors in the Nanaimo area, Kamloops area, and Williams Lake, leaving many animals in need of care.
• Eby emphasized that the lack of designation is more an animal welfare issue than a food security issue, as most abattoirs are federally inspected and will not interrupt food supplies.
• The government is working to ensure that proactive measures are taken to allow B.C. abattoirs to keep their businesses open during the labour disruption.
• The Labour Relations Board is being requested to designate abattoirs and their inspectors as essential services.
• The province has a process in place to allow meat processing facilities to continue operating in the interim, though details on this process were not provided.
• The government is exploring options to increase meat processing in the province, including streamlining the "50-50 rule" and increasing access to agricultural land.
• Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham has stated that the province is committed to ensuring meat inspectors are designated as an essential service.

Statistics:

• 12 meat processors have been affected by the strike in the Nanaimo area, Kamloops area, and Williams Lake.
• More than 4,000 government workers across 22 B.C. sites are participating in the job action, which has been ongoing for 10 days as of Thursday, Sept. 11.
• 50% of the products processed on agricultural reserve land currently have to come from the farm where the processing site is located, under the "50-50 rule".

Sources:

• Black Press Media
• Barriere Star Journal