Fifth week of BC public sector strike: More closures, growing tensions as 17,000 joins picket lines

October 3, 2025

RED FM News Desk

The labour unrest gripping British Columbia’s public sector continues to escalate as the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike enters its fifth consecutive week, prompting more closures across the province.

Starting Friday, nearly 900 additional workers from 20 provincial liquor and cannabis stores, along with staff from several government ministries, will join picket lines. The impacted ministries include Environment and Parks, Children and Family Development, Energy and Climate Solutions, and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

This wave of job action follows a breakdown in negotiations earlier this week, with no resolution in sight. In a statement, BCGEU President Paul Finch delivered a sharp rebuke of the government’s latest offer, calling it inadequate in the face of soaring inflation and increased pressure on public services.

“Every day this government delays, pressure on public services grows,” said Finch. “Public service workers deserve wages that reflect the real cost of living. The government must return to the bargaining table with a serious proposal — or job action will intensify. We are not backing down.”

Finch revealed that the province’s latest offer amounted to just two per cent annually over two years, totalling four per cent — an offer he described as “materially insignificant.”

“There’s no point calling us back to the table if you’re not going to present something meaningfully different,” Finch added.
The union is calling for an 8.25 per cent wage increase over two years, citing skyrocketing living costs and what they deem as years of wage stagnation.

Meanwhile, Premier David Eby has defended the government’s position, calling their updated proposal — which includes an additional 0.5 per cent increase — a significant move within a “tight fiscal environment.”

“This represents hundreds of millions of dollars,” Eby said Wednesday at a media event. “We respect our public service and want to see them back at work. Their roles are critical to keeping the province functioning.”

Despite the premier’s comments, thousands of workers and supporters rallied in downtown Vancouver this week, demanding a fair deal and pressuring the government to respond with urgency.

With over 17,000 public sector workers now engaged in strike activity, disruptions are being felt across multiple services — from retail liquor and cannabis outlets to crucial government departments.

What remains clear is that without significant movement at the bargaining table, the impasse is likely to deepen, with no immediate end in sight.