A tentative deal ends a nearly eight-week strike by B.C.’s public-service union, securing a 3 % wage increase over four years and strengthened remote-work protections.
Standoff resolves with breakthrough
After nearly eight weeks of labour action, the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the government of British Columbia reached a tentative agreement early Sunday, bringing to a close a long-running strike that had affected thousands of public-service workers across the province.
Who is impacted
The deal directly affects about 34,000 BCGEU members working in a wide range of public-service roles in B.C. The union indicated it will continue to honour the picket lines of the Professional Employees’ Union (PEU), which remains without an agreement, signaling the broader labour ripple effects in public services.
What the agreement covers
Under the terms of the tentative agreement, BCGEU members will receive a 3 % wage increase annually over four years. In addition, the contract includes enhanced protections for telework fairness, faster grievance processes, improved vision and counselling benefits, and a new classification for fully remote workers.
When and where the decision was made
The announcement came Sunday morning, concluding a strike that began some eight weeks earlier. The agreement was reached following mediation by special mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers, who assisted both parties in negotiations.
Why the strike happened and ended
The strike was triggered by workers’ concerns about wages, job security, telework rights and benefits in a changing public-service landscape. According to BCGEU President Paul Finch, “For eight weeks, they held the line… standing up for themselves, their families, and the public services that make life in B.C. possible.” The union says the deal demonstrates the power of collective action in the face of persistent labour pressure.
How this affects public services and next steps
With the tentative deal concluded, union members will vote to ratify the agreement. Once ratification occurs, public-service disruption in B.C. should ease. Government services disrupted during the strike can resume full operations more reliably. Meanwhile, the PEU’s ongoing strike means some workplace pressures remain. Finch affirmed that BCGEU members will continue to respect PEU picket lines until the PEU also secures a deal.
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