Striking B.C. public service workers agree to mediation after 7 weeks on pickets
CBC, October 17, 2025
Striking BCGEU worker speaks out as contract negotiations stall
Global News, October 16, 2025
B.C.'s public sector escalates job action once again
CityNews, October 16, 2025
BCGEU escalates job action as employer fails to table improved wage offer
News statement published on September 7, 2025
BCGEU escalates job action as employer fails to table improved wage offer
News statement published on September 4, 2025
BCGEU public service workers begin job action
News statement published on September 2, 2025
“British Columbians know that working people need wages they can live on. That’s what it comes down to, and our members know that."
Paul Finch quoted by City News, September 1, 2025
“Government declined to come back with a revised wage mandate offer that means no negotiations have taken place."
Paul Finch quoted by Global News, September 1, 2025
“The average wage for a BCGEU civil service worker is 2.7 per cent less than the provincial average."
Paul Finch quoted by CTV News, September 1, 2025
"Half of them report that they're not able to get ahead, that they're actually living paycheque to paycheque."
Paul Finch quoted by CBC, September 1, 2025
Paul Finch quoted by Toronto Star, August 31, 2025
BCGEU strike notice raises stakes for other union negotiations across the province, says labour expert
City News, August 30, 2025
"Right now, my biggest fear is losing my current rental agreement and being forced into market rates I simply can't afford."
BCGEU member and B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch worker Shannon Butt quoted by CBC, August 29, 2025
“This emphatic strike result reflects the seriousness of the affordability crisis that our members are facing and the need for fair wages to address that crisis.”
Paul Finch quoted by CTV News, August 29, 2025
“The message from our members is clear. We are united, and we are ready to take job action.”
Paul Finch quoted by Global News, August 29, 2025
“The average wage of a wildfire fighter right now, fighting fires in this province, is about $28 an hour...And this comes inside of a context. Over the past 15 years, excluded positions inside the civil service have earned almost double the rate of the frontline workforce that we depend on.”
Paul Finch quoted by City News, August 29, 2025
92.7% of public service workers vote in favour of strike for fair contract, union issues 72-hour strike notice
News statement published on August 29, 2025
BCGEU responds to HEU framework deal
News statement published on August 28, 2025
Poll: British Columbians back public service workers in fight for fair contract
News release published on August 28, 2025
"In terms of our front line workforce, [the public service is] actually undersized, and one of the pain points is the incredible waste on spending on private contracts to deliver services that can be delivered more cheaply and efficiently by us."
Paul Finch quoted in Vancouver Sun, August 15, 2025
Kirk LaPointe: Fiscal restraint a 'one-way street' for Eby government
Castanet, July 25, 2025
"I don’t believe that our members are asking for anything outrageous. These are asks that reflect the affordability crisis."
Quote from CKNW Mornings with Simi Sara, July 23, 2025
Vaughn Palmer: NDP hoped BCGEU would take the hint. It did not
Vancouver Sun, July 23, 2025
“When experienced public servants cannot imagine a future on their incomes, they will leave the public service for the private sector or other levels of government where salaries have remained competitive.”
Quote in Times Colonist published on July 22, 2025
Rob Shaw: Strike clouds gather over Victoria as BCGEU walks from talks
North Shore News, July 22, 2025
"What we've seen over the last 15 years is a preference on the part of multiple governments to increase the size of the exclude management ranks instead of focusing the funding on the frontline workforce."
Quote in CFAX 1070 published on July 21, 2025
“We want provisions that protect telework from being distributed indiscriminately or arbitrarily. We think that’s basic and something everyone can agree on."
Quote on CHEK News published on July 18, 2025
The union says in a statement that its proposal issued last month asked for a two-year deal, with a wage increase for workers at the lower end of the pay scale, targeted adjustments for certain jobs and bonuses into base salaries.
Excerpt from Victoria Now published on July 18, 2025
“Workers are facing an affordability crisis, and if wages don’t keep up with the cost of living, we lose skilled workers – that means fewer wildfire fighters defending our communities, fewer healthcare workers keeping our families healthy, and fewer administrative professionals providing access to services."
Quote in Global News published on July 18, 2025
"We do not take that action lightly, but we did that after the employer — the government — failed to move meaningfully on the asks that were critically important to our members."
Quote in Black Press published on July 18, 2025
Public service workers to take strike vote following impasse
News release published on July 18, 2025
"Today, there's almost a 1:3 ratio of excluded positions to frontline bargaining unit positions. Whereas 14 years ago, or even a decade ago, that was 1:4. We've been starving the frontline workforce who are having to do more with less so we can have an increased bureaucratic layer. Government needs some kind of ceiling on the number of exclusions."
BCGEU president Paul Finch on CKNW Simi Sara Show, June 17, 2025, Why doesn't the BC government pay its workers enough?
A strike is possible “if we get an agreement that doesn’t address the affordability crisis.”
BCGEU president Paul Finch in The Vancouver Sun published on June 16, 2025, 'People are struggling': B.C. government's lower-paid workers are losing the cost-of-living battle
"The fundamental issue is this: 44% of BCGEU members are sinking further into debt every month and of those half of them have second or third jobs. There needs to be a negotiated solution that recognizes the affordability crisis here in British Columbia."
BCGEU president Paul Finch on CKNW Jas Johal Show, May 14, 2025 (28:16)
“The big thing that we are aiming to achieve is addressing the cost of living and affordability concerns.”
Quote in The Tyee published on February 13, 2025
B.C. Public Service bargaining begins today
News release published on January 21, 2025
BCGEU responds to ministers’ mandate letters: Investing in public sector workers is vital as economic uncertainty looms
News release published on January 16, 2025
"We do not want to see a situation where the government attempts to balance the budget on the backs of our members."
Quote in Globe and Mail published on December 11, 2024
