Hundreds of workers will be hitting the picket lines across B.C. as union workers at Fortis have voted to strike.
Members of Local 213 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW 213) across FortisBC鈥檚 electric and gas operations have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action 鈥� 84.1 per cent in favour at FortisBC Inc. (electric) and 99.4 per cent in favour at FortisBC Energy (gas).
鈥淭hese results reflect the deep frustration of nearly 800 skilled tradespeople after years of expired contracts and stalled negotiations,鈥� said IBEW 213 business manager Jim Lofty. 鈥淒espite multiple rounds of mediation鈥攊ncluding under a jointly selected private mediator鈥擣ortisBC has failed to address long-standing concerns.鈥�
Approximately 580 members in gas have been without a collective agreement since April 2024, and approximately 210 members in electric have been without a collective agreement since February 2023.
From July 7 to July 24, the union sought a strike mandate from both electric and gas members. The results were shared with members on July 25, and the strike mandate was officially registered with the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) that same day, as required under the Labour Relations Code.
鈥淲e remain committed to negotiating fair collective agreement renewals that respect the critical role our members play in B.C.鈥檚 energy systems,鈥� said Jeff Self, IBEW 213 assistant business manager and utilities department lead. 鈥淲e hope FortisBC takes these results seriously when they return to the bargaining table.鈥�
On Aug. 7, the Union applied to the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) to designate essential service levels and set minimum staffing for FortisBC Energy Inc. (gas), with the application for FortisBC Inc. (electric) to follow later, the necessary next step before any job action can begin.
The LRB will designate the facilities, productions, and services it considers necessary or essential to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of B.C., and to make copies of this designation available to all the parties.
Despite ongoing negotiations, progress has been too slow, while FortisBC has delivered significant profits, almost $300 million in 2024 alone, to its parent company, Fortis Inc. 鈥� with Fortis Inc. giving over $1 billion to its shareholders last year 鈥� and secured rate increases from the BC Utilities Commission.
IBEW says members at FortisBC electric and gas are becoming some of the lowest compensated public utility workers in the province, if not nationally, and work under challenging conditions with evolving demands and pressures on work-life balance 鈥� pressures compounded by the company鈥檚 ongoing focus on profit. They are seeking an agreement that keeps pace with the utility industry.
Trade and office-worker unions including affiliate unions to the BC Building Trades, MoveUP and other IBEW local unions have confirmed they will respect picket lines in solidarity. The union said this reflects a shared commitment across British Columbia and nationally to securing a fair collective agreement that protects public utility standards.
Founded in 1901, Local 213 of the IBEW represents over 7,500 members across B.C. IBEW 213 is the second-largest IBEW local union in Canada, with members in construction, marine, maintenance. telecom and utilities, covered by over 100 collective agreements across the province.
