Bulletin
Update on the Essential Services Order at FortisBC
September 11, 2025
To: All MoveUP Members at FortisBC and FortisBC-CSC
We wanted to provide you with an update on the essential services order process that has been taking place at the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) with respect to a potential IBEW 213 strike at FortisBC.
Since our last update on August 27, we have been part of the LRB proceedings alongside IBEW 213 and the employer as they worked to determine which services will be deemed as essential services for the Gas component in the event of a strike.
The Latest
There is no formal order yet as discussions on the Essential Services Order continue. The parties are meeting today (Thursday, September 11) but this is a slow-moving process.
As this is IBEW 213’s potential strike, they are negotiating the roles that their members do first.
We have asked to meet with the employer outside the LRB to try and come to an agreement for what would be deemed essential services for MoveUP members’ work on the same timeline as the IBEW 213 workers.
If we are unable to come to an agreement, then we will also seek an order at the LRB just as IBEW 213 has done.
Next steps
We will provide you with more information once the Essential Services Order has been delivered for IBEW 213 workers, as well as on the status of our members who may be deemed essential services.
As of now, there is no change to the situation between IBEW 213 and FortisBC as the two sides continue to work towards a new collective agreement.
There is no strike imminent. There is no strike or job action currently underway, and there are no picket lines currently in place. IBEW will still be required to issue 72-hour strike notice before a legal picket line can be set up.
Direct Deposit information
We continue to encourage you to register your banking information with us by filling out the Direct Deposit Authorization Form. This will allow our team to have more ability to process your information quicker and avoid any delay in issuing strike pay should job action occur.
We are continuing to update our Frequently Asked Questions page to address more specific issues as they arise. If you have questions not addressed in the FAQ, please reach out to your Job Action Committee (JAC) assigned to your area.
Thank you for your patience and continued solidarity.
April Young, Union Representative
Paul Voykin, Union Representative
Rysa Kronebusch, Vice-President, Utilities