Above photo: BCGEU members on the picket line. BCGEU / X.
British Columbia General Employees’ Union argues that the rate of public sector pay is not keeping up with the cost of living.
BC public services workers expanded their picket lines to include 90 workers at the British Columbia Ministry of Finance in Vancouver on Thursday. The move came after the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), representing the more than 2,600 striking workers, said the provincial government has shown “no indication” of willingness to return to the bargaining table.
Job action began on Tuesday, with picket lines going up in Prince George, Surrey and at sites across Victoria. Members of BCGEU held a strike vote from August 11 to 29. More than 92 per cent of voters had called for a strike.
“Public service workers fight fires, staff emergency lines, and care for our most vulnerable. But these workers are facing an affordability crisis,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch. “These same people who are struggling to make ends meet have voted overwhelmingly to strike. They are declaring that the government’s last offer is unacceptable and they are willing to fight for the deal that they need.”
Negotiations with the BC Public Service Agency began in January, with the collective agreement expiring at the end of March. The BCGEU’s most recent proposal, tabled in June, includes a wage increase of four per cent in 2025 and an 4.25 per cent increase in 2026. Workers are also demanding telework provisions and increased benefits for vision care and counselling.
“Government’s current offer doesn’t meet the urgency of this crisis, and this emphatic strike vote result reflects workers’ deep concern over the lack of progress at the bargaining table,” said bargaining chair and BCGEU president Paul Finch in a press release. “Their message to government is clear: we are united and ready to act to secure a fair contract that keeps B.C.’s public services strong.”
A survey done by the union showed that BC public servants’ wages are not keeping pace with the cost of living. Seventy per cent of survey respondents said they spend more than 30 per cent of their pre-tax income on housing costs. Approximately half are living paycheque to paycheque.
Striking BCGEU workers are also joined by members of the BC Professional Employees Association (PEA) who also put up picket lines on Tuesday. Members of the PEA are also fighting for wages that keep pace with the cost of living.
While BCGEU and PEA remain united, some have called out the Hospital Employees Union (HEU) which has secured a framework deal with the BC government. The deal includes the primary elements of a tentative agreement and a pathway for renewed measures that would continue addressing the vicious 2004 wage cuts that contribute to ongoing, significant wage issues.
“This Framework strengthens the province’s commitment to correct historic wrongs that have been negatively impacting the lives of thousands of mostly women and racialized health care workers since 2004,” says Lynn Bueckert, HEU secretary-business manager.
Others however, have criticized this framework for accepting less than what workers deserve and also showing a disunity among BC public sector workers. BCGEU’s president, for example, said he was disappointed with the deal.
“The agreement is below inflation and undermines the very fight that public service workers across B.C. are taking on together for fair wages and respect at the bargaining table. This announcement will not undercut the strength and solidarity of BCGEU members, and the wider labour movement currently engaged in bargaining. BCGEU members are united, and we are pressing forward to win a fair deal that respects the rising cost of living and the critical work our members do every day,” Finch said.
While the HEU has reached a deal, BCGEU said they will continue to escalate job action until the government brings them a fair offer.
