British Columbia’s meat inspectors have returned to work after a one-day strike by provincial employees.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham announced the decision on meat inspectors late Thursday without objection from the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU).
“Abattoirs play a critical role in supporting farmers and ranchers throughout B.C.,” she said. “I am very pleased that we have been able to successfully work with the BCGEU to have provincial meat inspectors classified as essential workers during this round of job action.”
The strike closed some plants, particularly small ones.
Despite the ongoing labor strife, Popham thanked the union for its “collaboration and willingness to work with us to safeguard human health, support animal welfare and support the farmers and producers of this province.”
BCGEU President Paul Finch told CBC News that the union had not meant to strike meat processing, calling the meat inspectors’ participation in the work stoppage “an oversight by government,” which had not previously declared them essential.
