B.C. and public sector workers’ union return to negotiations

Monday could mark the beginning of the end of job action that forced the closure of dozens of B.C. liquor stores and government offices.

Talks between the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the provincial government are set to resume at an unspecified time.

The negotiations, announced Friday, will begin with the fifth week of job action, now involving over 15,000 public sector workers.

The BCGEU said from the start that its actions weren’t aimed at hurting the average British Columbian, but changed tack last week when some retail liquor stores closed behind picket lines.

“The provincial government has finally agreed to return to the negotiation table with a revised offer,” the union said Friday, after the total number of liquor stores on strike reached 77.

But what can the province offer, considering this month Finance Minister Brenda Bailey forecast a record-high deficit of almost $11.6 billion for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year?

“We want to recognize the remarkable contribution to building up this province, and we have a competing reality, which is that our financial situation is strained,” Premier David Eby told media on Friday.

The union is seeking a wage increase of 8.25 per cent over two years to address increasing cost-of-living concerns, among other issues.

In its last published offer, the Finance Ministry says the government is proposing a 4.5 per cent compensation increase over two years, made up of both general wage increases and cost-of-living allowances.

“They’ve clearly stated that they will be coming forward with a revised monetary offer. The question is whether or not it’s a good enough offer to get a deal,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch.

Finch says he’s hopeful, as Eby says it’s time to be “creative.”

“We’ve been clear from the very beginning of this strike that we will keep [picket] lines up until we get a tentative agreement,” Finch promised.

—With files from The Canadian Press