Prince George, B.C. - The 22 employees of the Active Support Against Poverty Housing Society in Prince George have voted unanimously to join the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union.

 

The employees work at a shelter for the homeless. BCGEU President Darryl Walker says the staff voted to join the union to address their key issues around health and safety, sick leave and better pay. 

 

Walker says many of the clients are people dealing with drug addictions and acute mental illness and staff frequently face threats and violence on the job.

 

The workers next step will be to form a bargaining committee and start negotiations with their employer.