Media Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 16, 2025 

BCGEU escalates job action across the province 

BURNABY, B.C. – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is once again ramping up job action across the province as the provincial government continues to refuse to return to the bargaining table with a fair wage offer for public service workers. 

As the Professional Employees' Association (PEA) pulls all remaining members, the BCGEU has announced that starting this morning, more than 370 additional members have joined picket lines-bringing the total to nearly 25,000 taking job action and over 470 picket lines across the province. 

"BCGEU members are united, well-prepared, and unwavering in their resolve," said Paul Finch, BCGEU President and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "The government has the power to end this strike today-by coming back to the table with a fair offer that respects the workers who keep this province running. The ball is in government's court. It's time for this government to decide whether they will stand with workers, or will they continue to delay and deflect while communities suffer." 

Key Facts 

• On September 29, government returned to the bargaining table-but its offer was virtually unchanged from the one members overwhelmingly rejected before job action began. 
• The BCGEU is seeking a 4% general wage increase per year for two years-a fair proposal that keeps up with rising costs and reflects the value of public service work. 
• Government's current offer remains at 2% per year for two years, well below inflation and out of step with the cost of living. 
• Since 2016, overall wages in B.C. have risen 40.6%, while public service wages have increased just 27.2%-a 13.4-point gap. 
• Without fair pay, government risks losing the skilled, dedicated workers who deliver vital public services-from wildfire crews and social workers to sheriffs, court clerks, and frontline administrative professionals. 

"Our bargaining committee remains ready and willing to find common ground," added Finch. "But until the government comes to the table with a real solution and a deal that our members will want to ratify, we'll keep standing strong. If the government were genuinely interested in reaching a fair deal, we would already be at the bargaining table working toward one." 

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:  
Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289

Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

Dear Public Service members, 

We wanted to provide you with a quick update on ongoing developments. This morning, we met informally at the request of the government with George Heyman, Special Advisor to BC Minister of Finance, and a representative from the Premier's Office, as our goal remains to keep lines of communication open and to ensure your voices are heard at every opportunity. No bargaining took place, and they did not extend an offer to bargain or signal any willingness to return to the negotiating table.

As always, we remain ready and willing to find common ground at the bargaining table.

While we remain committed to dialogue, it's important to be clear that the Finance Minister has not been honest in her public assessment of the situation. If the government were genuinely interested in reaching a fair deal, we would already be at the bargaining table working toward one.

This is a moment of truth for the NDP. Do they stand with workers, or will they continue to delay and deflect while communities suffer? Every day they wait, the public loses confidence in their commitment to sustainable public services.

We will continue to keep you informed as things develop. Thank you, as always, for your solidarity and support.

And here's a special message from our president, Paul Finch:

YouTube - Paul Finch: Public Service Job Action Week 7 Update

In solidarity, 

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee

UWU/MoveUP

Dear members,

We wanted to provide you with a quick update on ongoing developments. This morning, we met informally at the request of the government with George Heyman, Special Advisor to BC Minister of Finance, and a representative from the Premier's Office, as our goal remains to keep lines of communication open and to ensure your voices are heard at every opportunity. No bargaining took place, and they did not extend an offer to bargain or signal any willingness to return to the negotiating table.

As always, we remain ready and willing to find common ground at the bargaining table.

While we remain committed to dialogue, it's important to be clear that the Finance Minister has not been honest in her public assessment of the situation. If the government were genuinely interested in reaching a fair deal, we would already be at the bargaining table working toward one.

This is a moment of truth for the NDP. Do they stand with workers, or will they continue to delay and deflect while communities suffer? Every day they wait, the public loses confidence in their commitment to sustainable public services.

We will continue to keep you informed as things develop. Thank you, as always, for your solidarity and support.
 
And here's a special message from our president, Paul Finch:

In solidarity,

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee:

Paul Finch, President and Committee Chair 
Maria Middlemiss, Treasurer 
Dean Purdy, Component 1 Vice-President 
Kusam Doal, Component 5 Vice-President 
Judy Fox-McGuire, Component 6 Vice-President 
Mona Dykes, Component 6 Second Representative 
DJ Pohl, Component 12 Vice-President 
Faith Johnston, Component 12 Second Representative 
Sebastian Kallos, Component 20 Vice-President 
Linsay Buss, Lead Negotiator
Larisa Mills, Staff Representative 
Sumiko Marshall, Support Staff 

UWU/MoveUP

Media Advisory 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 15, 2025 

BCGEU to join PEA at major job action announcement

VICTORIA – BCGEU President Paul Finch will join Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the Professional Employees Association (PEA), and BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) President Sussanne Skidmore for a press conference on Thursday, October 16, to announce a major escalation of job action by the PEA. 

The PEA returned to the bargaining table yesterday to discuss the provincial government's latest wage proposal-3.5 percent over two years-but talks broke down quickly after the government failed to present a revised or improved monetary offer. 

The PEA and the BCGEU are united in calling on the B.C. government to respect and fairly compensate public service workers whose work keeps B.C. running.  

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025 
Time:10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Location:525 and 545 Superior Street, Victoria, B.C.
Format:Press conference with media availability 
Who:

• • Paul Finch, President, BCGEU 
  • Melissa Moroz, Executive Director, PEA 
  • Sussanne Skidmore, President, BCFED  

This is now the seventh week of job action by public service workers represented by both the BCGEU and the PEA, with over 1,000 PEA members and nearly 25,000 BCGEU members on picket lines across the province. The BCGEU continues to uphold all essential service requirements but warns that government inaction is deepening the impact on communities across the province. A full list of striking BCGEU worksites is available here. 

The BCGEU's Public Service Bargaining Committee remains ready to return to the table as soon as government presents a fair, revised wage offer. It has now been two and a half weeks since talks broke down. 

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Media Contact:  
BCGEU Communications 
Nadja Komnenic | [email protected] | 604-442-2289

Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service
Photos: BCGEU members on strike 

UWU/MoveUP

Dear BCGEU,

The government has failed to come to the bargaining table with a fair deal, and as a result, members of the public service have been on strike for weeks. This isn't what any of us wanted, and it's especially disappointing coming from a government who promised to prioritize workers' rights.

With government failing to return our calls, it feels like the BCNDP is turning their backs on workers - the very people who helped get them elected. We need to remind them that many members of the BCGEU give votes, dollars, and volunteer time helped put them in office. 

To do that, we want to connect with BCGEU members who have supported the BCNDP in the past. If you've ever voted, donated, volunteered, served on a riding association, attended a BCNDP convention, worked as a campaign staffer, or contributed to the BCNDP in some other way, we want to hear from you.

I've supported the BCNDP in the past

I haven't supported the BCNDP

The BCNDP was elected based on their history of standing up for workers and the labour movement. While the BCGEU is not affiliated with the BCNDP, we know our membership has meaningfully supported the party in the past because the NDP claimed to be a party that supports working people. Public service workers aren't getting that support.

Last week, we held a once in a generation rally with over 10,000 members and supporters at the legislature telling the government to get back to the bargaining table. We're planning next steps to keep the momentum going, and we value your assistance in helping us make those plans. 

Let's keep the pressure on. 

In solidarity, 

Paul Finch 
President

UWU/MoveUP

Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2025

BCGEU Escalates Strike Action to Include All Remaining Staff at Adult Correctional Facilities Province-wide  

BURNABY, B.C. – As the sixth week of job action comes to a close, the British Columbia General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is escalating job action once again. Today, all remaining staff at adult correctional facilities across the province are on strike, bringing the total number of public service workers taking job action to nearly 25,000, across more than 470 worksites. 

"Public service is at the heart of who we are, and we do not take the decision to escalate this strike lightly," said Paul Finch, BCGEU President. "The path to resolution lies with the government. Talks have stalled not because of our unwillingness to negotiate, but due to their lack of urgency and meaningful engagement." 

The number of fully struck ministries and services also rose to 20, as the BCGEU intensifies pressure on the provincial government to return to the bargaining table with a fair and respectful offer. 

A full list of striking worksites is available here. 

"We're calling on the provincial government to come back to the table with real proposals that reflect the essential work our members do every day," Finch added. "British Columbians deserve a public service that is properly resourced and respected - and our members deserve nothing less than a fair deal." 

With over 470 worksites affected and thousands more workers joining the strike lines, significant impacts to public services are expected in the days ahead. The BCGEU continues to maintain essential service levels where required by law but warns the government and public that further escalation is possible if the government continues to delay a fair deal. 

The BCGEU's public service bargaining committee remains ready to return to the table as soon as government is prepared to present a revised wage offer. It has been more than a week since talks broke down. Until the government takes bargaining seriously, strike action will continue to grow. 

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:

Nadja Komnenic:[email protected] | 604.442.2289

Backgrounder:https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

Dear BCGEU members not working in the Public Service,

A lot has happened with the public sector strike since we were in touch last week.

The employer has left us no choice but to escalate job action sharply and we've added thousands of workers to the strike in the past few days. The vast majority of public sector workers are now on strike. Over 25,000 BCGEU members are taking job action and 475 worksites are impacted.

Can you amplify the voices of striking workers by telling your MLA to fund the frontlines? It takes only a few minutes to send a message directly to your MLA. 

In addition to the escalating strikes, we organized major rallies in Vancouver and Victoria. We filled the streets and dominated the news cycle in an inspiring display of determination and solidarity. 

This week we've been very clear: we will keep fighting for a deal that addresses the affordability crisis our workers are facing. Job action will continue to escalate until the government returns to the table with a fair deal. We won't back down. 

Report back on the Vancouver Rally

Last week, over 2,000 people took to the streets to push for a fair deal to addresses long-standing issues of wage erosion, cost-of-living increases, and basic respect for public sector workers. The Vancouver rally was a beautiful demonstration of worker power and solidarity. If you missed it, you can watch the livestream on our YouTube Channel, Facebook and Instagram

Report back from the Victoria Rally

On Monday, more than 10,000 workers, unions, and supporters filled the streets of Victoria. It was one of the largest labour rallies in decades, and when rallies this big have happened in the past, they've been turning points for B.C.'s public services.

In Victoria, the march started at Centennial Square, and grew larger, louder, and more powerful as picket lines joined us along the route. The energy was electric and our message was clear: We are united. We are strong. And we are not backing down.

By the time we reached the Legislature, the crowd was so massive that we spilled out into the surrounding streets. Representatives from at least eight other unions, representing millions of workers across Canada, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in solidarity.

Monday was a strategic day for a massive action. It was our largest escalation of job action yet and the first day of the fall legislative session. As elected officials gathered in the legislature for opening ceremonies, thousands of us outside made sure the justified demands of workers couldn't be ignored.

There were so many people that we caused traffic jams in real life AND on the airwaves. We overloaded the cell networks and our livestreams on YouTube and Facebook couldn't keep up. Usually, too many people is a good problem to have, but we're sorry that overloaded airwaves meant many of you had trouble viewing the livestream.

To see the size of the rally check out this photo album from Monday's incredible event.

Thank you!

These rallies would not have been possible without the tireless work of volunteers who made art, assembled signs, served as march marshalls, helped with site set up, provided first aid, and made sure everyone was able to check in for their picket shift.

To every member who volunteered, marched, rallied, or cheered from afar: thank you. Your energy, solidarity, and determination are what make this movement powerful.

CBA talks have reached impasse

On Oct 3, members of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) which includes 13,000 BCGEU members announced that negotiations with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) have broken down and have reached impasse. CBA members work in critical, community-based health services across B.C., including drug and alcohol treatment centres, adult day care, detox and emergency shelters, women's clinics, seniors' services, mental health group homes, home support, and more. Despite bargaining since March, the employer has failed to meaningfully engage on key non-monetary issues that matter most to frontline workers. 

We'll be in touch again soon with further updates.
 

In solidarity,

Paul Finch
President 

UWU/MoveUP

Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2025

BCGEU Escalates Strike Action: Over 25,000 Frontline Workers Now on Strike Across B.C., including 11 Fully Struck Ministries and Crown Corporations 

BURNABY, B.C. – The British Columbia General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is escalating job action once again. Today, more than 25,000 frontline public service workers across 475 worksites will be on strike and brings the total number of fully struck ministries and crown corporations to 11, as the BCGEU intensifies pressure on the provincial government to return to the bargaining table with a fair and respectful offer. 

The 11 ministries and crown corporations now fully struck are: 

• Citizens' Services 

• Forest Practices Board 

• Energy and Climate Solutions 

• Finance

• Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation 

• Liquor Distribution Branch 

• Royal B.C. Museum 

• Mining and Critical Minerals 

• B.C. Pension Corporation 

• Infrastructure

• Water, Land and Resource Stewardship 

A full list of striking worksites is available here. 

With 475 worksites affected and thousands more workers joining the strike lines, significant impacts to public services are expected in the days ahead. The BCGEU continues to maintain essential service levels where required by law but warns the government and public that further escalation is possible if the government continues to delay a fair deal. 

The BCGEU's public service bargaining committee remains ready to return to the table as soon as government is prepared to present a revised wage offer. It has been more than a week since talks broke down. Until the government takes bargaining seriously, strike action will continue to grow.

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:

Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289 Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service 

UWU/MoveUP

Dear PS members, 

As we continue to stand strong together on the picket lines, we want to share an important update about strike pay (including for those doing essential services work) and to provide some information on when strike pay is paid.  


Strike Pay Has Changed!

Effective immediately, strike pay has changed from the target pay system to a flat rate system. The new flat rate strike pay will apply to the current pay period that began September 28. 
 
For each picketing shift, members will earn $130, tax-free.  

If you're full-time, you're eligible to work up to 5 picket shifts/week (for a maximum of $650, tax-free). If you're part-time, you're eligible for prorated strike pay for as many shifts as you are scheduled to work. For example, if you work 3 days/week, you can picket and get strike pay for 3 shifts (3 × $130 = $390 tax free).  

If you work in essential services, here's what you need to know:  

• If you work under 7 hours of essential services in a week, you can work up to 5 picket shifts per week, for a maximum of $650 if you are full time or prorated if part time. 

• If you work 7 hours or more of essential services in a week, for every 7 hours of essential work, you are scheduled for 1 fewer picket shift. Example: If you are full time and work 14 hours essential services, you will do 3 picket shifts ($390) plus your wages for 14 hours of essential work. 

Finally, if you are full-time and your strike pay and any applicable essential shift wages are less than $650/week, you may schedule additional picket shifts to bring you up to the $650 maximum.  

Here's a flow chart to explain the new system:
 

Flowchart shows changes to strike pay which are explained in this bulletin.

Your Strike Pay Questions Answered 

When is the pay period? 

The pay period is from Sunday-Saturday each week, with payments issued on the following Friday. For this current week, the pay period is Sunday September 28-Saturday October 4, and Payworks will issue payments on October 10. 

When do I get paid? 

Payworks deposits money into bank accounts and issues cheques each Friday. For those who have signed up for direct deposit, your pay will appear immediately in your account, but some banks or credit unions have a processing delay before the money will show up in your bank account. This is not a delay on the union's end, so is unfortunately not something that we can control. If you have questions about this, you can speak directly with your bank or credit union.

If you are expecting a cheque, you should call or email the AO corresponding to the Area in which you picketed as of Monday for how to get your cheque. 

Will the postal strike affect strike pay? 

CUPW members at Canada Post just announced a national strike, which could mean significant delays in getting strike pay cheques to you. The single best way to avoid strike pay delays is to sign up for Payworks.

Please check your inbox for an email from [email protected] and follow the instructions. You will be asked to confirm your identity, to create login credentials and to set up direct deposit by providing your banking information. Further info about Payworks can be found here. 

Your dedication is the backbone of this strike. Together, we're showing strength, determination, and solidarity in every corner of the province. 

In solidarity, 
Your BCGEU Public Sector Bargaining Committee


Strike Quick Links

During this round of bargaining and job action, our union has been maintaining a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) for members, including questions about sick days, covering work, overtime, and remote work. It can be found at https://www.bcgeu.ca/ps_faqs

Know your worksite so you don't unknowingly scab. Regardless of how often you work or if you work remotely, if your or your team's worksite, home base or headquarters is being picketed, you are on strike. If you're unsure of your home base or headquarters, talk with your coworkers or check the address on your paycheque, letter of employment, telework agreement and/or physical address of your worksite. Knowing your worksite is critical to ensuring you don't unknowingly scab (i.e., work when you're actually on strike). For more, review "How do I determine if my worksite is on strike?" in our FAQ here. 

UWU/MoveUP