BCGEU asks province to allow members to work from home to avoid elevated gas prices

The union representing 35K workers is lobbying for provincially regulated employees to be allowed to work from home full-time, where possible, to offset “an undue burden” caused by soaring gas prices.

Following the launch of a US and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, those prices surpassed the $2 barrier.

It's more than a month after the strikes, which UN experts termed flagrant violations of international law, and the Strait of Hormuz is essentially closed to commercial traffic. Five or six tankers are getting through each day instead of the typical 140—from the transit route of one-fifth of the world’s oil.

The TC’s price survey on GasBuddy.com pegged regular gas at around $2.06 per litre at most Victoria stations yesterday and a penny or two cheaper elsewhere in the area.

“If this conflict continues on and if oil prices continue to rise or stay at an elevated state, we want the government to be proactive and have some solutions in place,” Finch told Capital Daily.

In an email response, BC’s Ministry of Finance said the public service “has a well-defined approach” to flexible work that allows employees to voluntarily work remotely up to full-time, “where it is operationally feasible and mutually agreed to by the employee and employer.”

It’s at each ministry’s discretion “the extent to which they adopt flexible work arrangements within their specific operational contexts, with service to British Columbians remaining the highest priority,” a spokesperson said.

Finch said the union is also looking for temporary relief for workers who travel extensively—such as home support and community outreach workers—and generally drive. The union is open to various relief measures, including tax credits, he said.

The BCGEU joins the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) in asking governments to adopt the International Energy Agency’s 10 recommendations for reducing oil and gas demand. Its No. 1 immediate recommendation is to work from home where possible.

As of January, 70% of BC Public Service employees have telework agreements in place, the ministry said.