FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2025

Vancouver, B.C. – Statement from BCGEU President Paul Finch on the Provincial Budget Update

The provincial government's First Quarterly Report confirms what we've been saying all along: Investing in public service workers is critical for sustaining the services British Columbians rely on and to driving B.C.'s economy forward- in particular in our resource sectors.

Numbers released today by B.C.'s Finance Minister indicate that B.C.'s economy remains strong despite global volatility, with low unemployment numbers and a debt-to-GDP servicing ratio that remains among the best in the country.

In the province's press release, Finance Minister Brenda Bailey states that government "is focusing on the key services that people and families need, and protecting the services we all depend on now, and for the future." The looming crisis faced by the province is the risk that the people who provide these services can no longer afford to stay in their jobs. Thousands of these workers are now entering week three of a public service strike.

B.C.'s public service workers-wildfire fighters, social workers, sheriffs, correctional officers, conservation officers, court clerks and thousands of others-are still making less than the average British Columbian. They never caught up from the cuts of the previous government, and more than half say they've considered leaving their jobs because of wages. That's not sustainable for workers or for the services British Columbians count on.

Our general wage increase proposal of 4 per cent and 4.25 per cent over two years is fair and reasonable. It's designed to protect public service workers against inflation and to close the wage gap created over the past decade. Government's current offer does neither. The government's last offer was 1.5% in year one and 2% in year two; less than inflation and a continuation of the devaluing of the critical work done by people like wildfire fighters, healthcare workers and correctional officers.

Public service workers are crucial to driving B.C.'s economy forward. If this government is serious about building a strong economy and protecting the services British Columbians rely on, it must treat the workers who make that economy run with fairness and respect. That starts with a fair deal at the bargaining table.

-30-

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

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

Photos: Images from the picket lines can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgeu/

UWU/MoveUP

MEDIA ADVISORY 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2025

BCGEU to announce strike escalation to strategic sector 

Victoria, B.C. – September 15, 2025 – BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) president and public service bargaining committee chair Paul Finch, along with Melissa Moroz, Professional Employees Association (PEA) Executive Director and lead negotiator, will be available to media on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 to announce a new escalation in the public sector strike.

Details

     · Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 
     · Who: Paul Finch, President, BCGEU and Melissa Moroz, Executive Director, PEA
     · Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
     · Place: 1810 Blanchard Street, Victoria
     · Format: Media availability on the picket line

Please note that there will not be any spokespeople available on other lines on Tuesday. See below for contact details to request an interview with BCGEU spokespeople or members. 

Context

Today marks the beginning of the third week of BCGEU job action following a breakdown in negotiations for a new collective agreement covering more than 34,000 provincial public service workers. Currently, more than 6,000 members are participating in job action at worksites across B.C.

Negotiations with the Public Service Agency began on January 22, 2025, but reached impasse last month after the agreement expired on March 31. Members are demanding wages that keep pace with the cost of living, fair access to telework, a modernized contract, and limits on non-union managers. Job action will continue to escalate until government returns to the table with a fair offer.

-30- 

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

Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service
Photos: Images from the picket lines can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgeu/

UWU/MoveUP

MEDIA ADVISORY
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2025

BCGEU President Paul Finch to comment on BC provincial budget 2025

First Quarterly Report 

BURNABY, B.C. – September 15, 2025 – BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) president and public service bargaining committee chair Paul Finch will be available to media this afternoon to provide reaction to the provincial government's release of the 2025 First Quarterly Budget Report. 

Details 

• Date: Monday, September 15, 2025 
• Who: Paul Finch, President, BCGEU 
• Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• Format: Virtual or phone interviews (by request) 

Context Today marks the beginning of the third week of BCGEU job action following a breakdown in negotiations for a new collective agreement covering more than 34,000 provincial public service workers. Currently, more than 6,000 members are participating in job action at worksites across B.C. 

Negotiations with the Public Service Agency began on January 22, 2025, but reached impasse last month after the agreement expired on March 31. Members are demanding wages that keep pace with the cost of living, fair access to telework, a modernized contract, and limits on non-union managers. Job action will continue to escalate until government returns to the table with a fair offer. 

-30- 

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2025 

BCGEU declares overtime ban at LDB warehouses as job action escalates 

BURNABY, B.C. – The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has escalated strike action with the launch of an overtime ban covering more than 1,700 Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) workers as of this morning. This action increases the total number of public service workers engaged in job action to over 6,000. 

The overtime ban applies to the following sites: 

• BCLDB Head Office, Burnaby
• Delta Distribution Centre 
• Richmond Distribution Centre 
• Kamloops Distribution Centre 

"Public service workers should not be asked to shoulder the affordability crisis while government counts on their labour to generate record liquor revenues," said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "If government won't treat workers fairly, they shouldn't expect business as usual." 

The escalation comes more than a week into job action, with government yet to return to the bargaining table with an improved wage offer. Instead, the Ministry of Finance has publicly mischaracterized the union's proposal-citing a 15.75 per cent ask, when in fact the BCGEU's proposal is 8.25 per cent over two years. 

The union is proposing general wage increases of 4 per cent in the first year and 4.25 per cent in the second. This fair and reasonable proposal is aimed at closing the gap created by years of wage erosion, which has left public service workers earning less than B.C.'s average weekly wage and falling further behind inflation. While wages across the province have grown steadily over the past decade, public service wages have stagnated. Government's most recent offer-1.5 per cent in year one and 2 per cent in year two-fails to meet workers' needs and sends a clear message that British Columbians should expect cuts to the services they rely on. 

"Undervaluing the workers who keep this province running not only harms families, it threatens the long-term sustainability of the public services all British Columbians rely on," said Finch. "Our members are prepared to continue job action as long as it takes to secure a fair deal. The next move belongs to government." 

-30- 

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11, 2025

BCGEU responds to Prime Minister's B.C. resource projects announcement

BURNABY, B.C. – Today, BCGEU President and Public Service Bargaining Committee Chair Paul Finch responded to Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement that he hopes to fast track two key B.C. resource projects:

"Prime Minister Carney's announcement might promise new natural resource projects for B.C., but those plans cannot move forward without the skilled public service workers who make B.C.'s resource economy possible," said Paul Finch. "Our members-who are currently on strike-are the ones who ensure these projects meet safety, environmental and regulatory standards. Government's below inflation offer is why more than half of these members have contemplated leaving their public service jobs. If government wants these projects to proceed, they need to come back to the table with a fair deal for the workers who keep the province running

-30- 
 

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

To: All BCGEU members in Fort Nelson

Re: Meet & Greet Movie Night in Fort Nelson

Your Area 10 Cross Component Committee is sponsoring a movie night!

The kids are back to school, but school is out for us!

Dust off your leather jacket, put on some hairspray, and dress like it's the '80s. The Union is going retro!

A Family Friendly movie event, includes: 1 free small popcorn and 1 free small drink per person (butter included if desired).

Location: Phoenix Theatre, 5319 50^th Street, Fort Nelson

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Meet & Greet: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Movie: 7:00 pm

Movie: FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (rated PG-13)

Come meet members of the CCC, Tanya Boyd (Local 710) and Drew Ferreira (Local 1210). Local 710 Equity Worker, Ayla Malcom, and Bargaining Chair for School District #81, Jenni Waldern, will also be in attendance.

Be sure to register early and include the number of guests you will be bringing as there is a maximum of 100 attendees.

In Solidarity,

Area 10 Cross Component Committee

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2025

BCGEU escalates job action across British Columbia

BURNABY, B.C. – The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has escalated job action today, expanding picket lines to multiple new locations across the province.

New picket line sites as of Tuesday, September 9:

• Victoria: 976 Meares Street; and 617 Government Street
• Nanaimo: 2080 & 2100 Labieux Road
• Surrey: 10475 138 Street; and 14323 57 Avenue
• Kamloops: 441 & 447 Columbia Street
• Williams Lake: 640 Borland Street
• Kelowna: 478 Bernard Avenue
• Cranbrook: 117 10th Avenue South
• Nelson: 566 Stanley Street
• Fort St. John: 10003 110th Avenue
• Smithers: 3726 Alfred Avenue

A full list of active picket lines, including these new sites, can be found here. Please note that due to air quality concerns, Prince George and Williams Lake will be virtual pickets until further notice. 

Job action now spans a total of 22 sites with more than 4,000 workers on strike. Picket locations continue to focus on government operations, with minimal impact on the public. At the same time, BCGEU members working at these locations are needed by the B.C. economy more than ever – they're required to move resource projects forward. Without them, environmental assessments and permits don't happen, projects stall and communities wait.

Today marks the beginning of the second week of job action in response to a breakdown in negotiations for a new collective agreement that covers over 34,000 BCGEU members employed by the provincial public service. These workers-ranging from wildfire firefighters, social workers, correctional officers and sheriffs to administrative professionals and conservation officers-are fighting for competitive wages, fair access to telework, a modernized contract and a limit on non-union managers.

The union's proposal is for a two-year agreement that lifts wages for members at the lower end of the pay scale, introduces targeted occupational adjustments, and incorporates bonuses into base salaries to provide lasting improvements. The proposal is designed to help workers cope with the affordability crisis while strengthening the public services British Columbians rely on. On average, BCGEU public service workers make about 2.7% below the overall provincial weekly average wage. For example, the pay for wildfire fighters tops out at $56,546/year.

"The 4% and 4.25% increases that BCGEU members have proposed are fair and reasonable," said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "The government's latest offer-just 1.5% in the first year and 2% in the second-falls far short of addressing members' needs and is essentially telling the public to expect cuts in the services we all rely on."
 

-30- 
 

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

UPDATE:BCGEU president media availability – Kamloops & Kelowna

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C.– The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has cancelled Tuesday’s Prince George picket line due to air quality concerns. BCGEU President Paul Finch will instead join members on picket lines in Kamloops and Kelowna, where he will be available to speak with media.

Please see revised event details below in yellow highlight.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2025  

Job action escalation begins

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) will begin escalated job action tomorrow with new picket lines going up at multiple locations across the province. 

BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee, Paul Finch, will be available to media at the Prince George picket line from 10am – 11am to discuss the escalation.

Spokespeople will also be available at other picket locations (details below). 

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

     

Full list of new picket line locations as of Tuesday, September 9th can be found here. This represents an increase to 22 sites and over 4000 workers on the picket lines in total.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the second week of strike action following the launch of job action last Tuesday. Escalation is necessary because the provincial government has refused to return to the bargaining table with a revised wage offer. 

"The public service bargaining committee is ready to return to negotiations as soon as government comes back with a new wage mandate," said Finch. "BCGEU members have asked for 4% in year one and 4.25% in year two. This is a reasonable ask for members who provide critical services across the province. We need government to come to the table with a fair deal. Until then, our union will continue to escalate job action across the province." 

-30- 
 

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2025

BCGEU Escalates Job Action as Employer Fails to Table Improved Wage Offer 

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is escalating job action today as part of an ongoing province-wide strike in the public service. With no indication that the provincial government's Public Service Agency (PSA) is willing to return to the table with an improved offer, picket lines have expanded this morning to include nearly 90 workers at the Ministry of Finance at 900 Howe Street in downtown Vancouver.

BCGEU President Paul Finch will join striking workers on the picket line in Vancouver this morning at 900 Howe Street, between 9:30am and 10:30am, where media are invited to attend.

Today marks the third consecutive day of picketing in the BCGEU's campaign for fair wages and a modernized contract for more than 34,000 bargaining unit members working for B.C.'s public service.

Job action began Tuesday, when over 2,600 BCGEU members walked picket lines at key government sites in Victoria, Surrey, and Prince George, and the Royal BC Museum.

"BCGEU members in the public service deliver the essential services British Columbians depend on every day, and they deserve wages that reflect the value of the critical work done by workers including wildfire fighters, social workers and court clerks," said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the Public Service Bargaining Committee. "The employer's refusal to put forward a wage proposal that meaningfully addresses the affordability crisis leaves us no choice but to escalate job action."

Negotiations between the BCGEU and the PSA began on January 22, 2025. Talks reached an impasse last month after the collective agreement expired on March 31, 2025. Members are calling for a wage package that keeps pace with the rising cost of living and recognizes their vital contributions to the province.

Job action will continue to escalate until government brings a fair offer.

-30-
 
For media inquiries, please contact:  

For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:
Nadja Komnenic ([email protected])
 
Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service 

UWU/MoveUP