BURNABY – The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union announced today that its members in the B.C. public service sector have voted to ratify the tentative agreement reached with the B.C. government in June. The final vote was 62.7 per cent in favour.

"After 16 years of staff cuts and wage restraint, there was a lot of pent-up demand for positive change from our membership," said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "We knew that we wouldn't make up all the lost ground in one round of bargaining, but this agreement will provide a good foundation for us to build on." 

BCGEU members ratified a three-year agreement that features a two per cent general wage increase in each year, and addresses labour market pressures in specific occupations as well as expanded bullying and harassment language and the achievement of special leave for members experiencing domestic violence.

The effective dates of the new agreement will be April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2022. 

"This collective agreement will improve wages and working conditions for our public service members," said Smith. "But we know there is still work to be done and we're looking forward to putting this agreement to work."