October 3,2025
RED FM News Desk
Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines at provincial liquor and cannabis stores, adding 20 more locations.
According to the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), the escalation also involves job action by front-line staff at several ministry offices. In total, more than 17,000 public service workers—about half of the union’s 34,000 members—are now taking part in strike action across the province.
The BC Coroners Service and the Ministry of Public Safety said in a joint statement that the disruption has forced the postponement of a scheduled inquest into the deaths of Janet Nguyen, Christopher Duong, and their children Alexander and Harlan. Originally set to begin Monday, the inquest is now tentatively rescheduled for October 14, though officials warned that further job action could still affect the proceedings.
Union president Paul Finch said government delays are putting increasing strain on public services, and vowed that job action will continue to escalate until the province returns to the bargaining table with a fair wage proposal. He added that members will demonstrate outside the legislature on Monday as the fall session begins, marking the sixth week of strike action.
Talks that resumed Monday collapsed shortly after they began. The union said the province’s latest offer contained few meaningful improvements, while government officials insisted they are working to balance fair wages with the province’s limited fiscal capacity.
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