The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has intensified its strike action, now in its fourth week.
This strike is the longest public service strike in the province’s history. What started on September 2nd with picket lines at certain sites has expanded into a province-wide effort.
More than 12,500 workers are now participating in job action at 63 sites across BC, including 33 active picket lines.
The union states that workers at the Liquor Distribution Branch’s Burnaby headquarters and warehouses in Delta, Richmond, and Kamloops are on strike.
This disrupts the flow of liquor and cannabis throughout the province. The BCGEU states its increase in strike action follows the provincial government’s refusal to return to the bargaining table.
Victoria has seen some of the sharpest escalations in recent days. Nine additional sites in the capital region have joined strike action, including:
- 1515 Blanshard Street
- 3400 Davidson Avenue
- 818 Fort Street
- 940 Blanshard Street
- 1150 McKenzie Avenue
- 727 Fisgard Street
Workers at these locations offer various services, including health and family support, public safety, and vehicle enforcement.
Elsewhere in the province, sites in Penticton, Cranbrook, Coquitlam, and Kamloops joined picket lines on Tuesday.
The BCGEU says the ministries most affected include Health, Children and Family Development, Public Safety and Solicitor General, Attorney General, Citizens’ Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
Conservation officers and Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) staff are also part of the strike.
The union has highlighted that early strike action was aimed to limit impacts on the public. However, it says the government’s refusal to negotiate has forced members to expand and intensify their walkouts.
“Government’s continued refusal to negotiate has left workers no choice but to escalate sharply,” said BCGEU in a statement.
With more than four weeks of job action and disruptions now affecting key government services as well as liquor and cannabis distribution, pressure continues to mount on the provincial government to restart negotiations.
