One-day strike Friday for B.C.'s Legal Aid lawyers

Photo: Contributed

B.C.’s front-line Legal Aid staff lawyers have issued strike notice that takes effect Friday at 7 a.m.

The one-day strike will only directly impact the Legal Service Society's office in Vancouver, all other Legal Aid centres throughout the province will remain open. 

Scott McCannell, executive director of the Professional Employees Association, says LSS staff are mostly women and Indigenous lawyers, who are on the front lines of justice for vulnerable British Columbians who need legal aid.

"They are the difference between a vulnerable individual pleading inappropriately in a complex and overwhelming process, and that same individual receiving comprehensive legal representation that protects their interests and rights," says McCannell.

B.C. Attorney General David Eby agreed to a 25 per cent wage increase in March 2019 for the 1,000 Legal Aid contract lawyers, and additional wage increases over the next three years were announced earlier this month. In turn, LSS staff lawyers have been offered a two per cent annual increase over three years. 

“We are calling on the government to negotiate a fair and equitable collective agreement. This is an opportunity to enable sustainable legal aid and retain and attract good staff lawyers to help B.C.’s most vulnerable. We believe all British Columbians should be afforded the same access to justice,” says McCannell.

PEA represents 2,800 professionals in B.C., including 26 LSS staff lawyers.

The lawyers voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action on Oct. 16.