British ColumbiaB.C. General Employees’ Union members voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new agreement with the province that will have them receive a three per cent general wage increase per year over the next four years.Some workers represented by B.C. General Employees’ Union had been involved in strike action for 2 monthsChad Pawson · CBC News · Posted: Nov 13, 2025 3:55 PM EST | Last Updated: November 14Listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Workers with the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) are pictured on a picket line in Vancouver, B.C, on Thursday, September 4, 2025. (Ben Nelms/CBC)B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) members voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying a new agreement with the province that will have them receive a three per cent general wage increase per year over the next four years.In a statement, the union said 79 per cent of its members participated in the vote over the new deal, which was tentatively struck in late October.About 25,000 members of the BCGEU participated in strike action. The bargaining group represented 34,000 people, with most of those who remained on the job considered essential services.The BCGEU said 89 per cent of voting members agreed to ratify the deal. “Every picket shift, every show of solidarity, and every voice raised for respect and fair treatment made this outcome possible,” said the BCGEU.The ratification officially ends a labour dispute that extended for eight weeks and affected everything from liquor distribution to wildland firefighting.BCGEU employees are pictured on strike outside of a government-run liquor store in Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Ben Nelms/CBC)There were picket lines at government offices, B.C. Liquor Stores, Liquor Distribution Branch facilities and more, leading to a strained supply of alcohol in stores and restaurants.A number of government-run programs — from student loans to IVF funding to correctional services — were also impacted by the strike.The tentative deal came after mediated talks with the province. The BCGEU’s contract with the province ended on March 31, and workers voted to strike as they sought better wages and working conditions, amid a rising cost of living.The union’s original demand for a four per cent per year general wage increase came as the provincial government attempts to manage a $11.6 billion deficit.In addition to the wage increases over the next four years, the union said the agreement also improves working arrangements for telework and remote workers, and includes targeted pay hikes for the lowest-paid public servants.In a release the province said, “these changes will help improve and maintain stable service delivery throughout the province. “Bargaining continues for Professional Employees Association More than 1,600 workers represented by the Professional Employees Association (PEA) have been on some form of job action since Sept. 2, but the union suspended its strike action on Oct. 27 to resume negotiations with the province.“The PEA returned to negotiations with the [province’s Professional Service Agency] last week and have dates booked for further bargaining discussions next week,” PEA executive director Melissa Moroz said in an emailed statement. The PEA and BCGEU are two different unions. The PEA represents licensed professionals who work for the province, while the BCGEU represents a number of public service workers.CorrectionsA previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the new agreement also covered about 1,600 workers represented by the Professional Employees Association. In fact, the PEA is not part of that agreement and remains in the bargaining process.Nov 13, 2025 7:21 PM ESTWith files from Akshay Kulkarni
B.C. public service workers ratify new agreement with province
