FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
September 1, 2025  

Victoria, B.C. (Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory) – A portion of members of the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) working for the BC Public Service will begin walking picket lines tomorrow, September 2, 2025, at various locations throughout the province.  

BCGEU President Paul Finch will join striking workers on a picket line in Victoria where media are invited to attend. 

WHAT: Striking BCGEU members working for the BC Public Service walking a picket line in Victoria. BCGEU President Paul Finch will give remarks to workers and then be available for media interviews.  

WHEN: Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. PST 

WHO: BCGEU President Paul Finch with striking public service workers. 

WHERE: Jack Davis Building, 1810 Blanshard Street, Victoria, B.C. 

VISUALS: BC Public Service workers with picket signs and flags walking around the entrances to the building. Chanting and remarks from BCGEU President Paul Finch. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Nadja Komnenic, BCGEU Communications  
[email protected], 604-442-2289  

Picket lines will also be in Prince George at 1011 4th Ave and in Surrey at 10470 152 Street. Shift times vary, but picketers will be on site for photos and video between 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST.  

Note: there will be no media spokespeople at the Prince George and Surrey picket lines. Please send interview requests to Nadja Komnenic, BCGEU Communications  
[email protected], 604-442-2289    

The BCGEU’s public service bargaining unit is one of the largest in B.C., consisting of over 34,000 members. Negotiations with the BC Public Service Agency began on January 22, 2025. The strike vote was called following a breakdown in negotiations between the BCGEU and the PSA on July 18, 2025. Strike notice was issued on August 29, 2025, after BCGEU members voted 92.7 percent in favour of striking.  

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

92.7% of public service workers vote in favour of strike for fair contract, union issues 72-hour strike notice 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
August 29, 2025 

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – The bargaining committee representing more than 34,000 members of the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) who work for the BC Public Service will issue 72-hour strike notice this afternoon, following the conclusion of their strike authorization vote and an overwhelming strike mandate. Members voted 92.7 per cent in favour of taking job action. Job action could begin as early as Tuesday morning. Over 86 per cent of eligible members voted. 

The union will not be releasing details about the job action at this time. 

"Frontline workers in the public service are facing an affordability crisis that must be addressed in this round of negotiations," said bargaining chair and BCGEU president Paul Finch. "Government's current offer doesn't meet the urgency of this crisis, and this emphatic strike vote result reflects workers' deep concern over the lack of progress at the bargaining table. Their message to government is clear: we are united and ready to act to secure a fair contract that keeps B.C.'s public services strong." 

Members of the Professional Employees Association (PEA) who also work for the BC Public Service also announced today that they have voted in favour of taking job action and that they will be issuing 72-hour strike notice. 

"It's time for the BC Government to invest in the public service. We can't keep losing experts like engineers and youth psychologists, who provide critical services to the province," said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the PEA and lead negotiator for the union. "We made a strategic decision a year ago that we would stand beside the BCGEU. Their fight is our fight, and we are united as workers in the public service." 

A spring survey conducted by the BCGEU revealed that because public service wages in B.C. have not kept pace with the cost of living, BCGEU members' overall precarity has increased. Seventy per cent report spending more than 30 per cent of their pre-tax income on housing costs. Approximately half are living paycheque to paycheque while 30 per cent are relying on savings to pay living expenses, and 22 per cent report working a second job to make ends meet. 

"Wages need to reflect the real cost of living. Right now, my biggest fear is losing my current rental agreement and being forced into market rates I simply can't afford," said Shannon Butt, BCGEU member and BCLDB worker. 

In this round of negotiations, workers are seeking competitive wages that address the affordability crisis, fair access to telework, a modernized contract that more fairly values their work, and a limit on non-union managers so more resources can be made available to fund the frontlines. 

"Government has been hiring excluded managers at twice the rate of frontline workers which means more bureaucracy, fewer people serving the public, and workers forced to do more with less," said Finch. "We need an agreement that addresses the needs of working people in this province." 

The union's proposal, tabled the week of June 23, 2025, was for a two-year deal and proposes lifting wages for members at the lower end of the pay scale, and targeted occupational adjustments and bonuses into base salaries to provide lasting improvements. The proposal is designed to address the affordability crisis workers are facing so that we can strengthen the public services people in British Columbia depend on. 

"Our workplace can't hold onto staff. People leave for higher-paying jobs elsewhere, and we're stuck in a cycle of constant vacancies, endless training, and burnout," said Ping Leong, BCGEU member and Family Justice Counsellor. "We need stability in our jobs to provide reliable, sustainable services for the people who depend on us." 

A strike vote was called following a breakdown in negotiations between the BCGEU and the PSA on July 18, 2025. Voting began on August 11 and closed today. The successful strike vote allows job action to take place within 90 days, following 72-hour strike notice. 

The BCGEU's public service bargaining unit is one of the largest in B.C., consisting of over 34,000 members. Negotiations with the BC Public Service Agency began on January 22, 2025.

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

About the BCGEU 
The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is one of B.C.'s largest, most diverse, and fastest growing unions, representing over 95,000 members in 550 bargaining units in both the public and private sectors. 73,000 of those members are covered by one of six sectoral agreements in the public sector, and 34,000 within the public sector group work directly for the public service. For more visit: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service.

In support of workers' demands, the BCGEU released the July 2025 report B.C.'s public service: An investment in public safety and a healthy economy. 

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2025

BCGEU responds to HEU framework deal

Burnaby, B.C. – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is expressing strong disappointment with the deal announced between the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) and the provincial government this afternoon.

"The BCGEU is very disappointed with today's announcement of a deal framework between the Hospital Employees' Union and the provincial government," said BCGEU President Paul Finch. "The agreement is below inflation and undermines the very fight that public service workers across B.C. are taking on together for fair wages and respect at the bargaining table. This announcement will not undercut the strength and solidarity of BCGEU members, and the wider labour movement currently engaged in bargaining. BCGEU members are united, and we are pressing forward to win a fair deal that respects the rising cost of living and the critical work our members do every day," continued Finch.

BCGEU will be conducting a press conference on Friday, August 29 at 2:00pm to share results of the BCGEU strike vote and next steps in the public sector bargaining process. Details of the press conference are available here.

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

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
August 28, 2025 

Subject: Poll: British Columbians back public service workers in fight for fair contract 

Survey shows 74% support increased compensation for frontline workers 

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – A Leger poll commissioned by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) shows strong public support for public service workers currently negotiating their next collective agreement. Nearly three-quarters of British Columbians (74 per cent) say a salary increase is reasonable given the rising cost of living, and 60 per cent are concerned that affordability issues are causing frontline public service workers to leave their jobs. 

The poll comes as over 34,000 BCGEU members working for the public service conclude a strike authorization vote after talks with the provincial government reached an impasse in July. From wildfire response and community care to corrections and social services, workers across the public service are facing an affordability crisis – yet government’s current offer falls far short of addressing members’ needs and strengthening the public services people in British Columbia depend on. 

“People in B.C. know strong public services are essential, and that to keep them sustainable we need to invest in the frontline workers delivering them,” said BCGEU president Paul Finch. "This poll affirms that government’s low offer is out of step – not just with the affordability crisis workers are facing, but with the priorities of British Columbians.”  

Key findings: 

• 74% agree that given the rising cost of living, it’s reasonable to consider a salary increase for frontline public service workers in B.C. 

• 60% are concerned that affordability issues are causing frontline public service workers to leave their jobs. 

• 80% agree that too much is spent on management and not enough on frontline staff in the B.C. public service. 

• Of those who had an opinion, British Columbians are nearly twice as likely to side with public service workers (37%) as with the provincial government (19%) in a potential labour dispute. 

"In our polling over the past year, we’ve seen a consistent theme emerge in that British Columbians tend to side with workers in contract negotiations because of inflation concerns and the affordability crisis,” said Steve Mossop, Executive Vice President at Leger. “The results of this survey show strong concern for frontline public service workers in B.C. and broad support for their rationale in seeking better wages and benefits." 

The poll also shows clear public support for rebalancing the high ratio of non-union management positions to unionized frontline positions (currently one to three), with 70% of respondents agreeing that government should focus on hiring more frontline workers. 

“Government has been hiring excluded managers at twice the rate of frontline workers which means more bureaucracy, fewer people serving the public, and workers forced to do more with less,” said Finch. “We need to fund the frontlines instead.” 

Respondents to the survey did express a need to balance the impact of spending on pay increases with the needs of taxpayers. Still, support for public service workers remained strong even when respondents were asked to make decisions on balancing fiscal priorities. Support for public service workers is especially strong among British Columbians who would vote for the BC NDP if an election were held today. A majority of BC NDP supporters (61%) say government should prioritize investing in public services even when budget choices are difficult (even if it means a higher deficit) and nearly nine in ten (87%) agreed that a salary increase for frontline workers is reasonable given the rising cost of living. 

The BCGEU’s public service bargaining unit is one of the largest in B.C., consisting of over 34,000 members. After negotiations began on January 22, 2025, talks between the BCGEU and the BC Public Service Agency broke down on July 18, 2025. A strike authorization vote is now taking place, starting August 11 and ending August 29, 2025. 

Media Contacts 
Jocelyn Wagner, BCGEU Communications 
[email protected]
Steve Mossop, Leger 
[email protected]

About the BCGEU 
The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is one of B.C.’s largest, most diverse, and fastest growing unions, representing over 95,000 members in 550 bargaining units in both the public and private sectors. 73,000 of those members are covered by one of six sectoral agreements in the public sector, and 34,000 within the public sector group work directly for the public service. For more information visit: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service.

Methodology 

The results are based on an online survey conducted by Leger from August 22 to August 25, 2025, with a representative sample of 1,004 British Columbian adults 18 years of age and older from Leger’s LEO panel. Results were weighted according to age, gender, region, education, and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the British Columbian adult population. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±3.1%, (19 times out of 20) for the sample. 

Link to Survey

Data tables available by request. 

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
August 27, 2025 

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) president and public service bargaining committee chair Paul Finch will hold a press conference on Friday, August 29 to announce the results of a strike vote by BCGEU members working for the public service. 

The strike vote was called following a breakdown in negotiations between the BCGEU and the BC Public Service Agency (PSA) on July 18, 2025. Voting began on August 11 and closes at noon on August 29. 

Date: Friday, August 29, 2025 

Time: 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. PST 

Location: In person: 4911 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., please check in at reception. Online: For Zoom access, contact [email protected].

Who: The BCGEU public service bargaining committee. BCGEU president Paul Finch will be available for interviews. 
 
RSVP: Media are asked to please RSVP to confirm attendance. Paper copies of the media release announcing the strike vote result will be distributed on site 15 minutes before the press conference begins. 

The BCGEU’s public service bargaining unit is one of the largest in B.C., consisting of over 34,000 members. Negotiations with the BC Public Service Agency began on January 22, 2025. 

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU Donates $20,000 to World Food Programme Supporting Sudan

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is one of the world's worst and most underreported. Millions of people are facing hunger, violence, and displacement.

At our last convention, BCGEU members passed a resolution committing our union to shine a light on this crisis and stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan. As part of that commitment, the BCGEU is donating $20,000 to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) to support their critical work providing food and relief to those most in need.

Solidarity knows no borders. Learn more about the crisis and how you can support: https://www.wfp.org/emergencies/sudan-emergency

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza, who are facing alarming levels of famine and starvation.  

As the devastating famine continues to unfold, more than half a million Gazans are on the brink of starvation and the rest are enduring emergency levels of hunger. Based on the recommendation of its international solidarity advisory committee, the BCGEU provincial executive has voted to issue a $20,000 donation to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) Palestine Emergency Appeal to support the people of Gaza.  

The WFP is helping to deliver critical lifesaving aid to people in Gaza and BCGEU is proud to support this vital work.  

UWU/MoveUP

The BCGEU joins the chorus of voices across the province calling for a repeal to Bill 26, the Name Amendment Act (No 2) 2024, which restricts or bans access to legal name changes for people in B.C. and causes disproportionate harm to transgender and Indigenous folks, those fleeing domestic violence, and young people. 

The amendments violate international and human rights law in the processing of name change applications. Increased barriers and prohibitions on legal name changes make it harder for people to vote as well as access employment, housing and medical services. This troubling piece of legislation undermines the rights and dignity of some of the most marginalized people in B.C. 

While these amendments were made under the guise of public safety, they do not address a real problem. It has never been possible for offenders to escape their criminal records, as the Vital Statistics Agency already has the ability to release names when it is in the public interest to do so and all names a person has used follow them in the police database and cannot be scrubbed. In addition, a name change can be refused when it is for an improper purpose, and anyone can still simply change their name via marriage. 

The BCGEU is dedicated to supporting young people, transgender and Indigenous members, and members fleeing domestic violence in accessing stable employment in jobs where they feel safe and respected. We support members' right under UNDRIP and the requirements of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to reclaim their Indigenous names. We support members who are survivors of gender-based violence and who depend on legal name changes for their safety, and we support the rights of transgender members to use their chosen names. 

We call on government to repeal the ban on legal name changes, repeal the requirement for criminal record checks for young people, and repeal the mandatory sharing of name change information between Vital Statistics and the RCMP.

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU Statement on Fort Langley Pride Crosswalk

The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) stands in full solidarity with the Langley Pride Society and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members in Fort Langley and beyond as the Township of Langley considers removing the Pride crosswalk located in the heart of the village.

Council's motion to remove and relocate the crosswalk-under the guise of "heritage" and "visibility"-is deeply concerning. The motion was sparked by repeated vandalism of the existing Pride crosswalk. But instead of confronting the hateful motivations behind that vandalism, Council has chosen to defer the decision and sidestep the real issue: the need for visible, unapologetic support for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in public spaces.

Let's be clear: relocating the crosswalk doesn't solve the problem-it hides it. Symbols of Pride exist to affirm that 2SLGBTQIA+ people belong. When those symbols are under attack, the solution isn't to compromise and move them. It's to stand up and say: hate has no place here.

As a union, we believe in equity, dignity, and justice for all workers and all people. That includes fighting back when public institutions send messages-intentional or not-that inclusion is negotiable.

Here's how you can help:

📧 Write to Township of Langley councillors and tell them you oppose removing or relocating the Pride crosswalk. Demand real action to address the hate behind the vandalism.
🔗 Get more information and email addresses for councillors from the Langley Pride Society's website langleypridesociety.ca

📅 Show up to future council meetings if you live in Langley Township.
Public pressure makes a difference.

Pride is not a seasonal gesture or a paint job.

It's a statement that every member of our community-no matter their gender or who they love-deserves to feel safe, valued, and visible. We won't accept anything less.

UWU/MoveUP