Striking B.C. public sector workers expand pickets to 37 more liquor stores

British ColumbiaThe head of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association says his industry expects to see liquor supply shortages by the end of the week. Restaurant association head says industry expects to see liquor supply shortages by end of the weekThe Canadian Press · Posted: Sep 25, 2025 2:18 PM EDT | Last Updated: 8 hours agoThe B.C. General Employees’ Union says it is expanding picket lines to 37 B.C. Liquor Stores on Thursday, as its members continue to push for higher wages. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) says it’s expanding pickets to another 37 liquor stores around the province, shutting about a third of government-run stores. Pickets went up at government liquor and cannabis warehouses in Richmond, Delta and Kamloops, along with 25 liquor stores, earlier this week. It’s been four weeks since the union started job action, with almost 15,000 of the 34,000 public service workers now taking part in an attempt to pressure the government back to the bargaining table. B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, who has been speaking for the government in the dispute, says there is some back-channel work going on, although she has no date for possible new talks. BCGEU members picket outside the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre on Sept. 8. They’re now in their fourth week of job action. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Ian Tostenson, the head of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, says his members are being used as pawns in the dispute and they expect to see supply shortages by the end of the week. Bailey says she’s heard from some industry representatives who have stockpiled liquor in expectation of such job action, but she understands the importance of the industry to the province. “You know, margins are tight there and so I’m certainly aware of the challenges that that industry is faced with, but my role is to make sure not only that we get a fair deal for these workers, but that we get a fair deal for all British Columbians.” The union is asking for an 8.25 per cent wage increase over two years, saying members’ pay has not kept pace with inflation.