Liquor and cannabis warehouses join BCGEU strike

The union representing thousands of provincial government workers is once again expanding its job action.

As of Monday, the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) says BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BC LDB) and cannabis warehouses, and head offices are on strike.

Five additional ministry worksites in Victoria and Vancouver are also joining the action Monday.

“In total, more than 10,000 public service workers are now engaged in job action at 36 sites across the province, including 28 active picket lines,” the union stated.

So far, workers at four liquor and cannabis distributors in the province refused overtime work. The escalation comes after three weeks of continuous job action.

“Up to now, we’ve focused job action on government operations while minimizing disruptions for the public,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee.

“But with government refusing to come back to the table, we’re left with no choice. Public service workers cannot keep falling further behind. Government’s low offer is essentially telling British Columbians to expect cuts to the services they depend on. We will continue escalating until government brings a fair wage mandate. The next move is theirs.”

The union says it’s looking for a wage increase of 8.25 per cent over two years. The provincial government’s latest offer is a wage increase of 3.5 per cent over the same time period.

BC Cannabis Stores, the branded face of BC LDB representing cannabis retailer, says it will not accept new online orders, and orders placed after Sept. 18 will be cancelled.

—With files from Monika Gul