ICBC Claims Centre Staff to Strike September 18

 Over 1,500 MoveUP Members to Walk Picket Lines in 55 Locations Around BC

BURNABY – The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378 (MoveUP) announced today that over 1,500 members at 55 claims-related Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) locations will be taking strike action on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. A full list of locations can be found at the bottom of this release.

“These are employees who have been without a contract for over two years,” explained MoveUP President David Black, “Their wages are falling behind while ICBC executives and business partners got massive salary increases and $1.2 billion of ICBC profits went into government revenues.”

“Striking is never an easy decision,” said Black, “and we sincerely hoped our strike action on September 5, when we co-ordinated with the BCGEU and the PEA, would help ICBC focus on reaching a fair and reasonable collective agreement. But ICBC’s attitude hasn’t changed.”

Nearly 1,200 workers will be on strike in the lower mainland, and the remaining 300 will be in communities throughout the rest of B.C. This newest job action is part of an escalating strategy aimed at getting ICBC back to the table. ICBC’s last offer was a two percent wage increase over a four year contract, far below the rising cost of living.

“Our members felt it was very important to take another day of action so they could talk to the public about how the government is mishandling ICBC, not just for the workers but also for drivers that haven’t seen a rate reduction in years,” finished Black.

Most of the locations that will be on strike on September 18 were not part of last week’s joint strike with the PEA and BCGEU. Essential Service levels will be maintained at all striking locations. MoveUP represents approximately 4,600 workers at ICBC.

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Media Contact: Sage Aaron, (604) 317-6153, saaron@moveuptogether.ca

ICBC Locations to Strike on September 18, 2012
Abbotsford Claims Centre
Abbotsford FV Rehab Office
Burnaby Claims Centre
Burnaby Litigation/Commercial Claims
Campbell River Branch Office
Capilano Claims Centre
Chilliwack Branch Office
Coquitlam Central Estimating
Coquitlam Claims Centre
Courtenay Community Service Office
Cranbrook Branch Office
Dawson Creek Branch Office
Duncan Branch Office
Fort St. John Branch Office
Kamloops Claims Centre
Kelowna Claims Centre
Kelowna Interior Office
Langley Claims Centre
Maple Ridge Claims Centre
Nanaimo Claims Centre
Nanaimo Salvage
Nanaimo Longwood Station
Nelson Branch Office
New Westminster Claims Centre
Penticton Branch Office
Port Alberni Branch Office
Powell River Branch Office
Prince George Claims Centre
Prince George Salvage
Prince Rupert Branch Office
Quesnel Branch Office
Richmond North Claim Centre
Salmon Arm Branch Office
Sechelt Branch Office
Smithers Community Service
Squamish Claims Centre
Surrey Central Services
Surrey Claims Centre
Surrey Litigation Centre
Surrey Newton Claims Centre
Surrey-Special Investigation
Terrace Branch Office
Trail Claims Centre
Vancouver Cambie Claims Centre
Vancouver Kingsway Claims
Vancouver Rm 200 Rehab Dept
Vancouver Rm 208 BI Dept
Vancouver Rm 300- HO Claims
Vancouver Litigation
Vernon Branch Office
Vernon Salvage
Victoria Dunedin Claims Centre
Williams Lake Branch Office

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