FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2025

BCGEU demands BC Wildfire Service act immediately to protect wildland firefighters

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is calling on the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) to take immediate and meaningful action to protect wildland firefighters following yesterday's significant administrative penalty issued by WorkSafeBC. The fine of $759,368.84 recognizes the agency's failure to ensure the safety of its workers in connection with two workplace incidents in 2023, one in which resulted in a worker fatality.

"This decision confirms what our members have been saying for years, that systemic safety issues within the BC Wildfire Service are putting workers at risk," said Paul Finch, BCGEU President. "We welcome WorkSafeBC's direction to bring the employer into compliance with basic health and safety obligations. Every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of the day."

WorkSafeBC's findings echo long-standing concerns raised by BCGEU members about inadequate supervision, training, and risk assessments in wildfire operations. The union has repeatedly pressed the BCWS to address high turnover and inconsistent safety practices that undermine both worker protection and public safety.

"Wildland firefighters work in some of the harshest and most unpredictable conditions imaginable," Finch said. "Those challenges are made worse when chronic understaffing, poor retention, and inadequate training leave new and young workers exposed to unnecessary danger."

High turnover is a major systemic issue for the wildfire service. The 2024 wildfire season saw a turnover of 55% of fire crew leaders, which puts everyone from frontline workers on the fire line to fire-impacted communities at greater risk.

While critical of ongoing safety failures, the BCGEU acknowledges several positive steps made since these incidents:

• Establishment of a provincial Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) between BCGEU and BC Wildfire Service - a vital forum for collaboration and systemic improvements.
• Targeted wage increases won through recent BCGEU job action that may help reduce turnover and retain experienced crews.
• Initial efforts by BCWS to improve safety training and equipment standards, though more work remains to ensure consistent implementation across the province.

"The 2023 wildfire season was the most devastating on record, and this fine must serve as a turning point," Finch said. "The government and BC Wildfire Service must act now to rebuild a culture of safety, transparency, and respect for the workers who risk their lives to protect our communities."

The BCGEU represents over 2,000 members working with the BC Wildfire Service, including wildland firefighters, logistics officers, and support staff across the province.

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:
Emma Rae Lierley: [email protected] | 236-668-3135

UWU/MoveUP

Media Advisory: 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025


BURNABY, B.C. – BCGEU members of the public service began voting yesterday on the tentative agreement reached between the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the provincial government's Public Service Agency (PSA). Voting will be done online via Simply Voting and will take place between November 6 and 13.

BCGEU president Paul Finch says the tentative agreement is the result of the unity and determination of members who stood together on picket lines for eight weeks to demand dignity and fair treatment.

"The resolve of public service workers is what got us to the point of a tentative agreement and the crucial next step in this democratic process is for each member to vote on its ratification."

The results of the vote will be shared on November 13 via press release.

The BCGEU's public service bargaining unit is one of the largest in B.C., consisting of over 34,000 members. Negotiations began on January 22, 2025, and their collective agreement expired on March 31, 2025.

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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

2026 CLC Winter School registration is now open for applications!

Every year, union members from across British Columbia gather at the Canadian Labour Congress's Winter School to build a stronger labour movement through a number of engaging workshops and courses. All BCGEU members interested in learning more about the labour movement and our union can apply to attend!

The 2026 Winter School will take place over five weeks from January 11 to February 13, 2026. Each week will run Sunday to Friday. 

You can find a copy of the catalogue here: 2026 CLC Pacific Region Winter School brochure.  

BCGEU Application link: 2026 Winter School Interest Form

All submissions must be received by October 31st, 2025. All applications will be forwarded to your Component for review, and you will be contacted should you be selected to attend.

As in previous years, on-site child care is available from a qualified early childhood educator. However, childcare spots are limited this year and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Selected attendees will be required to complete forms as part of their request, and spots are not guaranteed.

Please note: filling out this form does not mean you are registered to attend Winter School. Successful applicants will be contacted by our conventions department to finalize their attendance.

All attendees will be provided a paid leave of absence from work and have travel costs covered as per BCGEU financial policy.

If you have any questions, please contact events department at [email protected].

Component Agreements Now Available Online

Good afternoon public service members,

We're pleased to share that all Component Agreements from this round of bargaining are now available on our website.

Members can now review the full text of their component-specific language, including updated provisions, clarified language, and improvements secured through bargaining.

• • Access to the individual components agreements are on the ratification page here 

• • Highlights of the main public service tentative agreement are available here.
    
    

Online townhalls and webinars are being held by our bargaining committee in advance of voting to help members understand the agreement. If you have any questions, we hope you can join us for one of the upcoming component specific webinars and virtual townhalls.

For all public service BCGEU members

• Monday, November 3 at 7:00 pm PT: Zoom webinar (access here)
• Tuesday, November 4 at 9:00 am PT: Zoom webinar (access here)
  
  

For public service BCGEU members by component

• Component 12 – Tuesday, November 4 at 12:00 pm PT (access here)
• Component 5 – Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 pm PT (access here)
• Component 20 – Wednesday, November 5 at 9:00 am PT (access here)
• Component 6 – Wednesday, November 5 at 12:00 pm PT (access here)
• Component 1 – Thursday, November 6 at 9:00 am PT (access here)
  
  

Thank you again for your solidarity and strength throughout this round of bargaining.

In solidarity, 

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee

UWU/MoveUP

Your Tentative Agreement: What It Means and What Comes Next

The ratification process is officially underway - and BCGEU President and Public Service Bargaining Committee Chair Paul Finch has an important video message for you. In it, he reflects on the mediation process that got us here, what this tentative agreement means for members and key highlights of the agreement, and what comes next in the process. 

Reminder: Telephone Town Hall for Public Service Members – Tonight!

Thursday, October 30, 7:00 p.m. (PT) 

All BCGEU members in the public service will receive a call on their personal phones to join the live discussion - no need to dial in. This is your chance to hear directly from your bargaining committee, ask questions, and learn more about the tentative agreement and the ratification process. 

Memorandum of Settlement

The Memorandum of Settlement (MOS) is now available here. This document outlines the full details of the tentative agreement - containing everything that your bargaining committee and your employer have agreed to. You can also read the highlights of the tentative agreement here. 

Stay Informed

Visit our new microsite: Tentative Agreement and Ratification Vote Information, where you'll find helpful resources, including: 

• A summary of the tentative agreement 
• The return to work agreement 
• Ratification vote information 
• Links to upcoming online webinars 

FAQs

We know you may have many questions, so we've created a new Ratification FAQ web page that will be regularly updated with answers and information throughout the ratification process. 

Your participation matters. Stay engaged and informed and we will continue to keep you updated every step of the way. 

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 Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 26, 2025 

BCGEU Reaches Tentative Agreement with Provincial Government After Eight Weeks of Job Action 

BURNABY, B.C. – The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government, bringing an end to a historic strike that involved more than 25,000 public service workers and eight weeks of job action across British Columbia. The next step is ratification: all 34,000 members of the public service will now have the opportunity to review and vote on the four-year deal. 

BCGEU President Paul Finch says the deal reflects the determination, unity, and resilience of members who stood together to demand fairness and respect. 

"This tentative agreement is the result of the incredible strength and solidarity of BCGEU and PEA members across the province," said Finch. "For eight weeks, they held the line - standing up for themselves, their families, and the public services that make life in B.C. possible. This deal shows that when workers stand together, we can make real progress." 

The agreement was reached on the eighth day of mediation with the government, led by respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers. The tentative agreement makes significant progress on key issues such as wages, affordability, and respect for frontline public service workers. 

Under the agreement, employees will receive a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years, along with additional targeted pay adjustments for the lowest paid workers in the public service to address the affordability crisis. It also includes a range of non-monetary improvements and enhanced benefits, including: 

• Improved fairness around telework and a modernized contract to reflect today's workplace realities. 
• Stronger job protections, including a new process to review excluded positions and return improperly excluded ones to the bargaining unit. 
• A faster grievance tribunal process to resolve disputes more efficiently. 
• Improved vision care and counselling benefits to better support mental health and overall wellbeing. 
• Established a category of fully remote workers that have unique agreement protections. 

While more details will be shared directly with members in the coming days, Finch said the deal represents meaningful movement toward closing the gap between public sector's wages and the rising cost of living. 

"This agreement is a step toward fairness," Finch added. "It helps ensure that experienced public service workers can afford to stay in their jobs and continue delivering the critical services British Columbians rely on every day." 

While this tentative agreement has been reached, members of the Professional Employees' Union (PEA) remain on strike. BCGEU members will respect picket lines in solidarity with the striking PEA members, who have yet to reach a fair deal with government. BCGEU and PEA stood shoulder to shoulder with each other throughout the strike and are committed to seeing a successful resolution together. 

"The length of this job action illustrates the seriousness of the issues that PEA and BCGEU workers face," said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the Professional Employees Association (PEA). "It's why we have been united in our resolve to fight for the future of public services in this province. Our solidarity on the picket lines has shown our strength." 

Throughout the strike, the BCGEU maintained essential services and tried to focus job action on government operations in the initial weeks of the strike to minimize disruption to the public. Finch thanked British Columbians for their patience and support throughout the dispute. 

"We know this strike has had an impact, and our members never took that decision lightly," said Finch. "Their commitment was always to strengthen, not disrupt, public services. We deeply appreciate the understanding and solidarity shown by communities across the province." 

The tentative agreement will now be recommended for ratification by the BCGEU bargaining committee. Members will have the final say through a vote in the coming days. 

"Our members stood together and proved that collective action works," Finch said. "This agreement belongs to them. It's a win for fairness, for public services, and for everyone in British Columbia." 

Next Steps: 

• The BCGEU bargaining committee will recommend the agreement for ratification. 
• BCGEU members will continue to respect PEA picket lines in solidarity with the striking members. 
• Details of the agreement will be released following the completion of the ratification process. 

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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

Tentative agreement reached thanks to your solidarity 

After nine months of negotiations and eight weeks on strike, your bargaining committee has reached a tentative agreement with your employer – the BC Public Service Agency (PSA). The next step is ratification: all 34,000 members of the public service will now have the opportunity to review and vote on the agreement. 

The tentative agreement makes significant progress on key issues such as wages, affordability, and respect for frontline public service workers. 

Under the agreement, employees will receive a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years, along with additional targeted pay adjustments for the lowest paid workers in the public service to address the affordability crisis. It also includes a range of non-monetary improvements and enhanced benefits, including: 

• Improved fairness around telework and a modernized contract to reflect today's workplace realities. 
• Stronger job protections, including a new process to review excluded positions and return improperly excluded ones to the bargaining unit. 
• A faster grievance tribunal process to resolve disputes more efficiently. 
• Improved vision care and counselling benefits to better support mental health and overall wellbeing. 
• Established a category of fully remote workers that have unique agreement protections. 

More details and a wage calculator will be shared with members tomorrow, and the full text will be available later this week. Member education sessions are also being planned to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision in the upcoming ratification vote. Timelines and voting details will be announced shortly.

Mediation began on Saturday October 18, and your committee worked through the week -- sometimes stretching into the early morning hours. The tentative agreement was signed off on early Sunday morning, October 26. We want to extend our sincere thanks to respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers for their guidance in helping both sides find common ground and bring this dispute to a fair resolution. 

From the very start of this round of bargaining, you made it clear that a fair general wage increase – one that keeps pace with inflation – was essential to being able to stay in your job and continue serving British Columbians. Through your commitment to fairness, your creativity in keeping the momentum alive, and your solidarity across the province, we stood our ground and reached an agreement your committee is proud to present for ratification. We left nothing on the table. 

We know the last eight weeks were not easy, and we know that many of you made significant sacrifices to win this fight. You walked pickets day in and day out, and you stood in solidarity with each other throughout it all. We got here because of you – and it's time to take a moment to celebrate. You were part of a historic strike at a critical time – and together, we won.

While this tentative agreement has been reached, members of the Professional Employees' Union (PEA) remain on strike. BCGEU members will respect picket lines in solidarity with the striking PEA members, who have yet to reach a fair deal with government. As long as PEA members are waiting for a fair deal, the BCGEU will stand firmly beside them. 

Throughout this job action, the BCGEU and PEA have stood shoulder to shoulder, and we're committed to seeing this through together. We're confident they can reach an agreement soon. 

For now, picket lines will stay up until you receive more information from your bargaining committee. Zone captains and picket captains will be provided with more details to ensure an orderly and coordinated stand down of picket sites across the province. You will hear more information shortly.

If you are scheduled to picket this weekend, plan to go to your picket line and check in to receive strike pay until you hear otherwise. 

Important reminder: In order to participate in the ratification process - to receive the ratification document via email, to participate in the meetings via web or phone, to receive voting information - it is critical that your union has your contact information. Please log in to the member portal and make sure we have your personal contact information-personal email, home mailing address, personal cell phone number. Click here to visit the BCGEU member portal to review and update your contact information. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it here. If you know of any of your co-workers who are not receiving these updates from our union, please ask them to update their information. 

Together, we've shown what's possible when 34,000 union members stand united for fairness. This tentative agreement is a direct result of your strength, determination, and solidarity. As we move into the ratification phase, let's carry that same energy forward - informed, engaged, and proud of what we've achieved together. 

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

PEA Reaches Return to Work Agreement – All BCGEU Picket Lines Standing Down

We're pleased to share that the Professional Employees Association (PEA) has reached a return to work agreement with the provincial government. 

With this development, all BCGEU picket lines will now come down across the province. Zone and picket captains have been provided with instructions to ensure an orderly and coordinated stand down of remaining lines. 

This marks the conclusion of an extraordinary period of solidarity and action by public service workers in British Columbia. Throughout this historic job action, BCGEU and PEA members stood shoulder to shoulder, showing the collective strength of our unions and the broader labour movement. 

As you return tomorrow, the Employer has agreed to honour existing flexible work schedules. Starting tomorrow, please return to your pre-job action schedule, including earned days off.

In the coming days, the BCGEU will provide more information to help members understand the terms of the tentative agreement and prepare for the ratification vote. Please watch your email and the BCGEU website for updates. 

Your commitment, unity, and determination have made a real difference, not only in achieving fair agreements, but in demonstrating that when workers stand together, we can move governments and win meaningful change. Thank you again for your extraordinary efforts throughout this historic job action. 

In solidarity, 

BCGEU 

UWU/MoveUP

As you may know, your union is pursuing legal action against the employer at the Labour Relations Board (LRB) for violations of the Employment Standards Act and your collective agreement regarding payment of statutory pay for those who were eligible. Our LRB legal action includes anyone who should have been paid stat pay based on the Employment Standards Act and your collective agreement but didn't receive it from ER. This includes members who worked 100% essential services at a struck site who did not receive stat pay from the employer.

As we have a plan to address this for all PSA members who were impacted, it is not necessary for you to file individual grievances at this time. The LRB complaint covers all affected members, and we will update you once we have achieved a resolution. 

As we pursue this situation legally, your union is ensuring member are not left behind in the meantime. Where the employer has failed to pay stat pay, we are issuing strike pay in its place for eligible members. Here's what action we've taken so far: 

• October 10: A first round of payments issued for September 30 stat for members who completed at least six picket shifts in the last 15 workdays (the same criteria the LRB uses for employer stat pay); 

• October 17: A second round of payments was issued for members who completed at least one picket shift before September 30. 

• October 24: A third round of payment will be issued for LDB warehouse members whose overnight shifts on October 1 started on September 30. 

• October 24: For anyone who picketed at least one shift before October 13, payments for the October 13 stat holiday will be issued October 24 and should appear in your bank account by Tuesday, October 28 (if you're signed up for EFT/direct deposit). 

If you didn't get paid for the September 30 stat or are not paid for the Oct 13 stat by Tuesday October 28, and believe you are eligible, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Check in with your picket captain 

• Confirm if your picket shifts are recorded in the Attendance app for the stat day(s). 

• If a shift was missed or recorded incorrectly, your captain can fix it. 

• Once this has been corrected by the picket captain, you will be paid in the next payment cycle.

• If you didn't picket before the stat, and want to be eligible for union stat pay, you'll need to work one picketing shift now. Work with your picket captain to schedule this shift and have them record it on the day of the stat that you didn't get paid for.

Step 2: Contact your area office or the HUB 

If Step 1 doesn't resolve the issue, your area office or the HUB can follow up to make sure it's corrected. 

We know this has been confusing, and we appreciate your patience as we work to make sure every member is treated fairly. The union will keep fighting to ensure your rights - and your pay - are protected. 

In solidarity, 
Your Public Service Bargaining Committee

UWU/MoveUP