Striking B.C. public service workers agree to mediation after 7 weeks on picket lines

After seven weeks of strikes that have disrupted everything from government offices to liquor distribution, B.C.’s 34,000 striking public sector workers are taking a new step toward resolution.

The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) announced Friday that it will enter mediation with the provincial government following a formal request from the employer a day earlier.

“We’re committed to exploring every option to achieve a fair and respectful agreement for our members,” said BCGEU president Paul Finch in a statement. “Mediation represents a next step toward resolving this dispute in a way that respects the vital work our members do every day.”

The mediation process — which will be non-binding — means any agreement reached will still need to be ratified by a vote of union members. The union said talks will begin “as soon as possible,” but picketing and job action will continue throughout the process.

Sticking points: wages and cost of living

The union has been seeking a four per cent general wage increase in each of the next two years, arguing that public servants have fallen behind on inflation and rising living costs.

The province’s most recent offer includes a five per cent total raise over two years, which the union rejected as inadequate.

BCGEU members first walked off the job on Sept. 2, and the strike has since expanded to include pickets at Service B.C. locations, liquor and cannabis distribution centres, and government offices across the province.

Finch said earlier this week that the union was approaching a “near-full walkout” as frustration mounted over stalled talks.

Impact on services and businesses

The strike has had far-reaching consequences. Restaurants and bars have reported shortages due to the shutdown of the provincial liquor distribution network, while Service B.C. offices have been forced to scale back non-essential operations.

In a statement Friday, the B.C. government acknowledged that the ongoing strike is taking a toll on both the public and workers.

“The strike is having an impact on the public, businesses and employees, and government is committed to reaching a fair agreement that works for everyone,” the province said.

It confirmed that Ready and Rogers — two of Canada’s most experienced mediators — will oversee the process “in an effort to find a resolution to the current dispute.”

What comes next

While the union says it remains open to negotiation, it has signalled that it won’t accept a deal that fails to meaningfully address cost-of-living pressures.

“Public service workers have held the line day after day because they know what’s at stake, not just for themselves, but for the communities they serve,” Finch said.

Both sides are expected to begin mediation in the coming days, but no timeline has been given for when an agreement might be reached — meaning picket lines across B.C. are likely to remain up for now.