BCGEU members to vote on tentative 4-year deal next week after 8 weeks of strike action

Public service workers in B.C. returned to their jobs Monday after eight weeks of job action, ending a province-wide strike that had shuttered liquor distribution hubs and delayed many government services.

BCGEU president Paul Finch said members will have a week to review details of the tentative collective agreement before voting begins.

“We’re committed to ensuring our members have the time to understand what’s on the table and discuss it with one another,” Finch said on CBC’s The Early Edition.

Deal terms

The tentative four-year deal, reached through mediation led by renowned arbitrator Vince Ready, includes:

• A 3% general wage increase per year for four years — halfway between the union’s original 4% demand and the province’s previous offer.

• Targeted pay boosts for lower-income public servants.

• Enhanced telework and remote-work protections.

• A new “rapid grievance tribunal” designed to resolve disputes faster by empowering front-line workers and supervisors rather than relying on lengthy legal channels.

Finch said the bargaining committee is recommending members accept the deal.

“We’ve reached a fair agreement,” he said. “Not everyone will be happy that we didn’t get four per cent, but that’s how negotiations work.”

Background

Roughly 34,000 unionized government workers — including about 25,000 who actively walked picket lines — began striking on Sept. 2, pressing for higher wages to match inflation and improved working conditions.

The strike disrupted key public operations, particularly liquor and cannabis distribution, and forced Service B.C. offices to scale back non-essential services.

Next steps

Voting on the tentative deal will open next week, with results expected shortly after.

Until then, Finch says, the union’s focus is on ensuring transparency and unity after a challenging two months.

“Our members have shown extraordinary commitment and resilience,” he said. “Now it’s time for them to decide what comes next.”