After more than eight weeks of job action involving over 25,000 public service workers, the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government, effectively ending the long-running strike.
The tentative four-year deal, announced Sunday morning, comes after eight days of mediation led by Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers.
The agreement will now go to the union’s 34,000 public service members for review and approval.
According to the BCGEU, the tentative agreement includes annual wage increases of 3% over four years, along with targeted pay adjustments for lower-paid workers to help address affordability challenges.
The union also stated that the deal introduces several non-monetary improvements, such as updated telework policies, stronger job protections, faster grievance resolutions, and improved vision and counseling benefits.
“This tentative agreement is the result of the incredible strength and solidarity of BCGEU and PEA members across the province,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch.
“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.”
The strike, which began in early September, marked one of the largest and longest public service labour actions in the province’s recent history.
Throughout the job action, essential services were maintained, and the union initially targeted government operations to limit public disruption.
Members of the Professional Employees Association (PEA), who joined BCGEU members on the picket lines during the strike, remain without a deal. The BCGEU said its members will continue to respect PEA picket lines in solidarity until a resolution is reached.
“Our solidarity on the picket lines has shown our strength,” said PEA Executive Director Melissa Moroz. Add the two unions’ shared action underscores the seriousness of the issues at stake.
The BCGEU bargaining committee will now recommend the tentative agreement for ratification. Details of the final contract are expected to be released once members have completed the voting process.
