MEDIA ADVISORY 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2025 

BCGEU president media availability re: new job escalation

BURNABY, B.C. – BCGEU President, Paul Finch, who also serves as chair of the public service bargaining committee, will be on site at the Liquor Distribution Branch's (LDB) Delta Distribution Centre this morning to provide an update on a sharp rise in public service job action this week. 

• Who: Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee 
• What: An update from Paul Finch on further public service job action 
• Where: LDB Delta Distribution Centre: 7003 72 St, Delta 
• When: 9:30 a.m.

After three weeks of job action and continued refusal by the provincial government to return to the bargaining table with a revised wage mandate, Finch will be announcing escalation of job action this week at sites across the province.

A full list of existing picket line locations can be found here. 

"The public service bargaining committee is ready to return to the table as soon as government presents a fair, improved wage mandate," said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "Public service workers can't keep falling behind-wages in B.C. have risen 40.6% since 2016, yet public service workers have only seen a 27.2% increase. We're on job action to close that 13.4-point gap and keep up with the cost of living. If government refuses to negotiate, our union will continue to sharply escalate job action across the province." 

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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,

Things are moving quickly in our union's public service strike. From escalating job action to our response to government's update on the provincial economy, below is a roundup of week three of the strike. 

On Monday the provincial government announced that B.C.'s economy has shown resilience despite disruption and uncertainty from the global trade conflict. This confirmed what we've been saying all along: investing in public service workers – and all workers across the public sector – is critical for sustaining the services British Columbians rely on, and to driving B.C.'s economy forward. 

This week, we escalated job action in several key areas: 

• Public service workers who support B.C.'s mining operations joined the strike. 
• An overtime ban was announced in corrections and sheriff services. 
• Workers in citizens' services and gaming also joined picket lines, adding strength to week three of job action. 

📣 Here are a few news stories from the week: 

BCGEU strike nearly into its third week – CBC 
BCGEU strike extends to province's mining operations - CityNews 
Escalation of B.C. public service strike hits citizens' services and gaming branch - CTV 

Now, more than 8,500 public service workers are engaged in job action: on picket lines, through overtime bans, and even in virtual picketing teams. Every day 400–600 virtual picketers reach out to their communities to explain the strike, gather signatures for our letter-writing campaign, and share stories online. In fact, this is the first BCGEU strike in history to include virtual picketing - enabling struck workers who live more than 30 km from a picket line, or who need an accommodation, to fully participate. 

So far, our escalation strategy has targeted critical areas of government operations rather than inconveniencing the general public. Each day, affected services slow, backlogs build, and decision-makers feel the pressure. But if government refuses to return to the table with a revised wage offer, we will soon be forced to escalate sharply - expanding strike action to a broader group of members and creating greater impacts on the public. 

We don't want to create delays or inconvenience British Columbians. We want a fair collective agreement. We want to return to the bargaining table and end this strike. 

With your help we can get government back to the bargaining table. Send an email to your MLA calling for a fair deal for public service workers. And if you're near one of these picket lines, please stop by to show your support! 

In solidarity,
 
Paul Finch 
BCGEU president 

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 18, 2025 

BCGEU escalates job action with new picket lines in Victoria and Burnaby 

BURNABY, B.C. – The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has expanded job action today to two strategically chosen sites that highlight the essential role public service workers play in B.C.'s economy and daily services: 

Victoria: 4464 Markham Street (Ministry of Citizens' Services) 
Burnaby: 4370 Dominion Street (Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch) 

Members at the Ministry of Citizens' Services deliver front-line services such as issuing BC Services Cards, processing Freedom of Information requests, maintaining provincial information technology systems, and facilitating BC Bids. Their absence is expected to create delays for individuals, businesses and government ministries, underscoring the critical nature of their work. 

Members at the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch regulate the province's gaming industry, including oversight of the B.C. Lottery Corporation. Withdrawing their labour could disrupt gambling service providers and slow a significant provincial revenue stream. 

By broadening job action to these areas of B.C.'s public service, the BCGEU is increasing pressure on government to return to the bargaining table with an improved wage offer, while demonstrating the indispensable contributions of its members to the people of British Columbia and the provincial economy.

With today's escalation, there are now more than 4,600 members on strike at 19 picket lines in cities across the province (Victoria, Surrey, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Nelson, Fort St. John, Smithers, Vancouver, Prince George and Burnaby). Combined with overtime bans by an additional 3,900 other members, this escalation means there are now over 8,500 BCGEU members taking job action across B.C. in effort to get the government to return to the bargaining table with an improved wage offer.

"These workers provide services that touch the daily lives of British Columbians-from issuing BC Services Cards and processing Freedom of Information requests, to maintaining IT infrastructure and managing BC Bids, the platform that connects public sector organizations with contractors," said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "When this work stops, it creates real pressure on government to return to the table with a fair wage offer." 

"Until now, our job action has primarily targeted core government operations, with the exception of the Royal BC Museum. But government's refusal to return to the table with a fair wage offer leaves us no choice but to escalate. We are now expanding job action to sites that are essential to both the public and businesses-a step we had hoped to avoid." 

"Government's first quarterly budget report confirmed what we've been saying: B.C. is not facing a fiscal crisis. Our debt-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest in the country, and debt servicing costs are manageable. None of this is a barrier to paying public service workers a fair wage.

"Investing in public service workers is essential to sustaining the services British Columbians rely on and to keeping our economy strong," added Finch. "If Finance Minister Brenda Bailey is serious about protecting these services now and into the future, government must show fairness and respect to the workers who deliver them-and that begins with a fair deal at the bargaining table." 

"The government's current offer of 3.5 per cent over two years falls short of inflation projections for B.C. over the same period. Wages in B.C. are up 40.6 per cent since 2016, but public service workers have only seen a 27.2 per cent increase. We're on strike to close that 13.4-point gap and keep up with the cost of living. Public service workers cannot keep falling behind." 

A full and up-to-date list of active picket lines can be found here.

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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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2025

Mining sector targeted as BCGEU strike escalates - union says fair deal needed to keep B.C.'s economy strong

BURNABY, B.C. – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is escalating job action to include public service workers who support the province's mining sector. Today, members working at the Mineral Development Office and Mineral Titles Office in Vancouver, as well as the Southeast Mines Office in Cranbrook, will join picket lines.

"Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement last week may promise new natural resource projects, but those projects cannot move forward without the skilled public service workers who make B.C.'s resource economy possible," said Paul Finch, BCGEU President and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "BCGEU members ensure these projects meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. Without these workers, projects stall and communities wait."

In addition to the new strike locations, overtime bans have been declared for all members in Correctional and Sheriff Services. This escalation brings the total number of public service workers taking job action to 8,500 – all calling on government to return to the table with a wage offer that addresses the affordability crisis.

"Mining projects in this province help drive our economy, but they cannot proceed without the public service workers who approve permits and enforce safety and environmental standards," said Scott Lunny, United Steelworkers union (USW) Director for Western Canada. "USW stands shoulder to shoulder with BCGEU public service workers in their reasonable demand for wages that help them keep up."

For years, public service wages have fallen behind the rest of the province. Between 2016 and the end of 2024, B.C.'s average weekly wage grew by 40.6 per cent, while general wage increases in public service collective agreements rose by only 27.2 per cent-a gap of 13.4 percentage points.

Wage erosion has left public service workers struggling to keep pace with the cost of living, even as they deliver the critical services British Columbians depend on. Government's below-inflation wage offer has pushed more than half of these workers to consider leaving their public service jobs.

"If government is serious about boosting our economy in a time of fiscal challenge, it must start by supporting the public service workers who make that growth possible," said Finch. "A fair deal isn't just about workers-it's about ensuring stable public services and keeping B.C.'s economy moving."

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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

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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

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." 

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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

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

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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