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

Things are moving quickly, and it can be hard to keep up – from new escalations to our union's response to government's update on the provincial economy – below is a roundup of our actions this week.

📽️ You can also click here to see a new video message from our bargaining chair Paul Finch.

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 is critical for sustaining the services British Columbians rely on, and to driving B.C.'s economy forward. 

📣In the media: The BCGEU's strike is nearly into its third week (CBC). See our press release here.

On Tuesday we held a press conference in Victoria on the 1810 Blanchard Street picket line to announce an overtime ban across correctional and sheriff services, and that public service workers who support B.C.'s mining sector were joining the strike. Once again, striking members from the Professional Employees Association (PEA) stood alongside us. The escalation was also backed by the United Steelworkers union (USW), which represents workers in B.C.'s mining sector – they committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with us in this fight! 

📣In the media: BCGEU strike extends to province's mining operations (CityNews). See our press release here. 

Yesterday, we announced members in Citizens' Services and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch joining the picket lines, adding more strength to week three of job action. 

📣In the media: Escalation of B.C. public service strike hits citizens' services and gaming branch (CTV). See our press release here.

Now, more than 8,500 of us are engaged in job action in different ways: on picket lines, through overtime bans, and even in virtual picketing teams (more on this below). Together, that amounts to tens of thousands of work hours withheld every single day – a demonstration of the critical role we play, and a reminder that government cannot afford to ignore the needs of the people who make public services possible.

As this week's video update explains, 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 - taking a broader group of members out on strike and creating greater impacts on the public.

We don't want delays in public services or British Columbians to be inconvenienced - we want a fair collective agreement. We want to return to the bargaining table and end this strike. But it's up to government to make that happen.

As we gear up for next week, we want to thank everyone for the incredible work you've been doing since our strike began. That includes the 400–600 virtual picketers who are reaching out in-person to people in their communities to explain the strike, gathering signatures for our letter-writing campaign and sharing stories and content about our demands and job action online. This is the first BCGEU strike in history to include a virtual picket line, enabling struck workers who live more than 30 km from a picket line, or who need an accommodation, the opportunity to fully participate in the strike. 

⬇️ Please also be sure to check the strike quick links section below for the latest frequently asked questions and details you need as the strike continues. 

Your strength and solidarity as we continue escalating job action is making a real impact. Every day that we hold firm, the pressure on government grows, and we get closer to the deal we need.

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 

Strike quick links

During this round of bargaining and job action, our union has been maintaining a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) for members. It can be found at https://www.bcgeu.ca/ps_faqs 

Here are some of the most notable updates from the past week: 

• Can I take paid sick days on strike? – listed under About job action 
• Updates to scheduling questions regarding essential services – About essential services 
• Questions from those not on strike about covering work - Questions for those not on strike 

For questions about striking worksites, overtime bans and remote work – see the FAQ under 'About Job Action' to find the answers to:

• Which worksites are on strike? 
• What is an overtime ban and how does it work?
• What would a strike mean for remote workers? 

Know your worksite so you don't unknowingly scab. Regardless of how often you work or if you work remotely, if your or your team's worksite, home base or headquarters is being picketed, you are on strike. If you're unsure of your home base or headquarters, talk with your coworkers or check the address on your paycheque, letter of employment, telework agreement and/or physical address of your worksite. Knowing your worksite is critical to ensuring you don't unknowingly scab (i.e., work when you're actually on strike). For more, review "How do I determine if my worksite is on strike?" in our FAQ here.
Sign up for Payworks to make sure you're paid for any strike duties you're assigned, whether or not you're part of the current job action. To do so, check your inbox for an email from [email protected] and follow the instructions. You will be asked to confirm your identity, to create your login credentials and to set up direct deposit by providing your banking information. For further info about Payworks, review the Public Service FAQ here.
Prepare a picket pass for essential services or emergency duties. If your worksite is on strike and you are scheduled by the employer to perform essential service duties, or if you're called in by the employer due to an emergency (as determined by the employer), you must prepare a "picket pass" at http://bcgeu.ca/picket-pass and show your pass to a BCGEU picket captain at the picket line to be cleared to cross and complete your work (i.e., to not scab). NOTE: If your shift is scheduled after picket line hours (e.g., weekend, midnight, etc.), you must email [email protected] to report your attendance instead of reporting to a picket captain. For further info about picket passes and essential services/emergency duties, review the Public Service FAQ here. 

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

Component 1 Overtime Ban – Q&A
The BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee is calling on members in Corrections and Sheriff Services to refuse all non-emergency overtime. In Component 1, the employer determines whether to offer overtime for regular shift coverage subject to Article 16.5.
You can refuse any overtime as per article 16.9 of the main agreement, unless an emergency is declared by the employer. In general, members should refuse overtime while the current ban is in effect. Please review the details below for clarification.
 
Do I have the right to refuse overtime?
Yes, Article 16.9 permits employees to refuse overtime "except when required to do so in emergency situations".

What counts as an "emergency"?
There is no definition in the collective agreement of what an emergency is. However, arbitrators have generally accepted that an emergency is "an unforeseen event that calls for immediate attention."

Overtime is voluntary, frequent practice and is not generally due to an unforeseen event.

Can the employer declare an "emergency" for the next day?
An emergency is an event with an uncertain time limit. Where the Employer has a reasonable amount of time to offer shift coverage, the Union's view is that call outs in advance does not rise to the level of an "emergency".

Events that are prescheduled in advance or beyond what would be considered "imminent" or "immediate" are unlikely to be emergencies. For example calling an emergency a day in advance would not constitute an emergency.

Component 1 members can request the employer provide and confirm the nature of the emergency in writing.

Can I refuse overtime when the Employer declares an "emergency situation"?
Yes, under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the "Regulation") if you have reasonable cause to believe that performing work puts you or someone else at risk. You must follow the process set out in section 3.12 of the Regulation.

Your employer should also reasonably consider any other circumstances that affect your ability to accept overtime such as pre-scheduled medical appointments. Your employer must consider your personal circumstances such as childcare and dependent responsibilities.

Do managers have to work overtime before assigning it to members?
No. At this time, only SPSC is subject to the essential services order, which requires managers to work 60 hours per week, including covering vacant shifts.

Sheriff Services – overtime exemptions

The only overtime Sheriffs can work during the ban is OT connected to the current SRT student class. This includes:

• Pre-training set-up.
• Travel OT for instructors coming from outside the region.

In solidarity,
Dean Purdy
Component 1 Vice President
Corrections & Sheriff Services
BCGEU

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