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. 

-30- 

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

Mediation Update: Day 6

As mediation enters its sixth day, discussions continue and progress remains steady. While we have nothing substantial to report since yesterday, both parties are still at the table, and your bargaining committee remains focused on achieving results.

There are still key issues where the parties remain apart, but the mediators are working hard to help bridge those gaps. The process is complex and time-consuming, and your bargaining committee is exploring every possible avenue to reach a fair and respectful agreement that meets the priorities that members have identified.

We remain optimistic that the government's request for mediation reflects a genuine commitment to finding solutions – even as talks move at a measured pace. We will continue to keep you updated every step of the way.

In solidarity,

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee 

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 22, 2025


BCGEU job action escalates with all of BC Wildfire, Forests joining the strike 

BURNABY, B.C. – Amid an ongoing prolonged mediation with the government, the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) announced that the ongoing job action escalated this morning, with all remaining members from BC Wildfire and the Ministry of Forests joining the strike, bringing the total to over 25,000 taking job action and over 550 worksites on strike across the province.

The now prolonged mediation began following government's request on October 16 to enter non-binding mediation. Talks began at noon on Saturday, October 18, and have continued throughout the weekend and into this week. Respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers are facilitating discussions aimed at resolving this labour dispute as it enters its eighth week.

Essential services were proactively negotiated and remain in place to ensure public safety and wellbeing are protected. 

See the list of ministries/services fully on strike here. 

-30- 

For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:
Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289
Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

Mediation continues into day four 

Your bargaining committee has been in mediation with respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers since Saturday, and talks will continue today. We've put all outstanding key issues before the mediators and made it clear why each must be addressed. From the start, members have been united about their expectations in this round of bargaining.

Over the past four days, we've made progress - reaching agreement with the employer on several important issues - and discussions are ongoing. Your committee is prepared to keep working through the night to secure the fair deal that public service workers deserve. 

While mediation doesn't guarantee a deal, it's a meaningful step forward toward achieving a fair and respectful contract for public service workers. We remain steadfast in pursuing every path to a settlement that fully recognizes the vital contributions of B.C.'s 34,000 public service workers who keep our communities running every day. 

Mediation is a positive development, but it's your solidarity and determination that continue to drive every bit of progress at the table. Government is back at the table because members made their message impossible to ignore: public service workers deserve a fair deal. 

It's important that we don't let up the pressure until we know whether government is serious about making a fair deal. That's why our picket lines remain up, and why we're continuing to collect signatures on our open letter to MLAs. This letter is the first step in our plan to ramp up pressure on MLAs if needed – and we need as many signatures as possible behind it. Nearly 13,000 members have already signed. Click here to add your name. 

We'll continue to keep you informed as mediation progresses. 

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

Bargaining update: Mediation continues

Dear BCGEU, 

Following the government's request last Thursday to enter non-binding mediation, talks began at noon on Saturday and have continued throughout the weekend. Respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers are facilitating discussions aimed at resolving this labour dispute as it enters its eighth week. 

For more information on what mediation is, click here. 

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee came to mediation prepared to work hard and determined to reach a fair deal that members like you will want to ratify. We remain cautiously optimistic that the government's decision to request mediation signals a shift toward more productive dialogue. 

As shared on Friday, picket lines will remain up during mediation to demonstrate our collective strength and maintain pressure on government. Escalation will continue until we reach a tentative agreement that respects the value of your work and meets the needs of members. It's important to note that this progress is a direct result of your determination and unwavering solidarity on the picket lines over the last seven weeks. Strength on the lines equals strength at the table. 

We hope to have more to share soon. Your bargaining committee will continue to keep you informed as mediation progresses. 

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