Welcome to our Public Service bargaining hub!

The following information is for BCGEU members who work directly for particular B.C. government ministry or crown corporation - see all here.

Latest: On November 13, BCGEU members voted in favour of ratifying the tentative agreement reached with the provincial government. The new agreement takes effect immediately with some items retroactively applied to April 1, 2025, and will be available on the BCGEU website shortly. 

How we got to the new agreement

• The current collective agreement for BCGEU members working for the BC Public Service expired March 31, 2025.
• Negotiations with our employer, the Public Service Agency (PSA), began on January 22, 2025, and reached impasse on July 18, 2025.
• On August 25, 2025, BCGEU members working for the BC Public Service voted 92.7% in favour of strike action if necessary.
• On the afternoon of August 29, the BCGEU filed 72-hour notice to proceed with a strike.
• Strike action began Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and escalated consistently until sharply intensifying on Monday, September 22.
• On September 25, the employer invited us back to the table and negotiations resumed and immediately broke down September 29.
• Strike action escalated again following the breakdown.
• On October 1 and October 6, thousands of BCGEU members and supporters marched through the streets of Vancouver and Victoria to rally and call on government to respect and fairly pay the workers who keep this province running.
• On October 16, the BCGEU agreed to enter non-binding mediation with the Government of British Columbia, with respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers facilitating the process.
• On October 26, a tentative agreement and return-to-work agreement was reached.
• Ratification voting took place November 6-13. Of all eligible members, 79% voted and 89.3% of those voted to ratify the agreement.

Bargaining priorities achieved in 2025

• General Wage Increase (GWI) that matches or exceeds inflation 
• Establishment of a Rapid Grievance Tribunal (RGT) 
• Elimination of the Public Service Job Evaluation Plan (PSJEP) 
• Rein in unnecessary exclusions 
• Fair access to telework 

Report

In support of our demands, our union released the report, B.C.’s public service: An investment in public safety and a healthy economy, demonstrating how investing in public sector workers is both necessary and economically feasible. 

FAQs

This has been a challenging round of negotiations. Our bargaining committee keeps us informed every step of the way, balancing transparency with strategy to preserve our shared position at the table. Stay informed by reading emails sent to your personal inbox and reading our FAQs.