BCGEU strike expands to 90 picket lines across B.C. as 900 more workers join after wage talks with the government break down.
Labour Action Expands Across B.C.
Nearly 900 additional public service workers joined the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike on October 3, pushing the total number of participants to more than 17,000 across the province. The escalating action follows a month-long standoff between the union and the provincial government that began on September 2.
New Picket Lines in Surrey and Beyond
Among the newest picket sites is the BC Liquor Store at Peninsula Village in Surrey, one of 90 active picket lines provincewide. In total, job action now affects 198 government worksites, reflecting a broadening effort by unionized workers to pressure the province toward a settlement.
Who’s on Strike
The strike includes employees from B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Stores as well as staff from the Ministries of Environment and Parks, Children and Family Development, Energy and Climate Solutions, and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. The walkouts are disrupting both government operations and revenue-generating retail sectors.
Why Talks Broke Down
Negotiations between the BCGEU and the B.C. government collapsed again on September 29. The union is demanding an agreement that addresses wage erosion, ensures cost-of-living protection, and provides fairness and respect for public sector workers.
The government’s offer includes a 2 per cent annual wage increase over two years. The BCGEU has countered with a 4 per cent annual raise over the same period, arguing the current offer fails to keep pace with inflation.
Dispute Over Pay Figures
In a statement issued October 3, the BCGEU said the government’s claim of offering a 5 per cent increase over two years is misleading. The union asserts that figure includes market adjustments and other unrelated items, meaning not all members would receive that raise. The BCGEU maintains that its request represents a “fair and necessary adjustment” to preserve workers’ real wages.
Growing Union Pressure
On October 1, more than 2,000 members rallied in downtown Vancouver, sending what the union described as a “clear message” of unity and urgency for a fair settlement. “Workers are united, the labour movement is mobilized, and the need for a fair deal is greater than ever,” the BCGEU said in its statement.
What Happens Next
The BCGEU has warned that strike actions will continue to expand until the government re-enters bargaining with a credible offer. With picket lines now spread across communities from Vancouver Island to the Interior, pressure is mounting for renewed talks.
For now, the province faces a growing disruption to public services and liquor distribution as both sides hold firm on wage demands.
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