B.C. public service union announces tentative deal to end strike after 8 weeks

BURNABY — The B.C. General Employees’ Union says it will recommend that its members vote to accept a tentative deal reached with the provincial government to bring an end to strike action.

The union said in a statement Sunday that the agreement must be ratified by its 34,000 members in a vote on the four-year deal, reached on the eighth day of mediated talks between the union and the provincial government.

The union said the deal includes better wages and addresses other big ticket issues at the heart of the dispute that led to thousands of workers walking picket lines for the past eight weeks.

“The tentative agreement makes significant progress on key issues such as wages, affordability, and respect for front line public service workers,” the statement said.

The union said the agreement includes a general wage increase of three per cent a year for four years, and benefits related to telework, job protections and health care.

Union president Paul Finch said the deal is a “step toward fairness” and will help retain experienced workers while addressing the “gap” between workers’ pay and rising living costs.

Members of the Professional Employees Association are still on strike, and the union’s statement said BCGEU members will respect remaining picket lines.

“We know this strike has had an impact, and our members never took that decision lightly,” Finch said in the statement. “Their commitment was always to strengthen, not disrupt, public services. We deeply appreciate the understanding and solidarity shown by communities across the province.”

Finch said the deal is a “win for fairness,” and will be put to a membership vote in the coming days, and more details about the agreement will be revealed “following the completion of the ratification process.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2025.