BCGEU and provincial government reach tentative agreement

After 8 weeks of job action, the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and provincial government have reached a tentative agreement.

“This tentative agreement is the result of the incredible strength and solidarity of BCGEU and PEA members across the province,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU president.

“For eight weeks, they held the line - standing up for themselves, their families, and the public services that make life in BC possible. This deal shows that when workers stand together, we can make real progress.”

The historic strike involving more than 25,000 public service workers will now come to an end and all 34,000 members will vote to ratify the four-year deal.

Under the agreement, employees will receive a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years, along with targeted pay adjustments for the lowest-paid public service workers.

The agreement was reached on the eighth day of mediation and also includes a faster grievance tribunal process, stronger job protections, improved fairness around telework, improved vision care and counselling benefits, and establishes a category of fully remote workers who have unique agreement protections.

“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 the BCGEU has reached a tentative agreement, members of the Professional Employees’ Union (PEA) remain on strike.

BCGEU members will respect PEA picket lines in solidarity.

“The length of this job action illustrates the seriousness of the issues that PEA and BCGEU workers face,” said Melissa Moroz, PEA executive director.

“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.”

For many, the announcement that the BCGEU strike has come to an end is welcome news, as public services have been severely impacted for several weeks.

“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.”

BCGEU members will now have the final say on the proposed contract, which the union’s bargaining unit recommends should be ratified.