Latest: On November 13, BCGEU members of the public service voted in favour of ratifying the tentative agreement reached with the provincial government's Public Service Agency (PSA) (media release). Of all eligible members, 79% voted and 89.3% of those voted to ratify the agreement. This marks the official end of a historic eight-week strike by B.C.'s public service workers.
Negotiations and job action timeline
- After negotiations began on January 22, 2025, talks between the BCGEU and the BC Public Service Agency (PSA) broke down on July 18, 2025.
- BCGEU members working for the BC Public Service conducted a strike authorization vote, August 11 to August 29, 2025, which resulted in 92.7% voting in favour of strike action.
- The BCGEU issued 72-hour strike notice on Friday August 29 and members began job action on September 2, 2025 (media release).
- Job action escalated on September 4 (media release), again on September 9 (media release) and again sharply on Monday, September 22.
- On September 25, the employer invited the union back to the table and negotiations resumed and immediately broke down again September 29.
- On October 1 about 2,000 members of the BCGEU and other unions (including PEA, BCTF, MoveUp, CUPW, BCNU, HSA, HEU, CUPE (various locals), USW, ILWU, UNITE HERE Local 40, IATSE, BC FMWU, CEU, TSSU, BC Forum) rallied together in downtown Vancouver to show government their strength and commitment to getting a fair deal for workers and the future of the province.
- On October 6, more than 10,000 union members, allies and community members marched and rallied at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, calling on government to return to the table with a fair wage offer.
- On October 16, the BCGEU agreed to enter non-binding mediation with the Government of British Columbia, with respected mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers facilitating the process (media release). Picket lines were maintained across the province while mediation proceeded to demonstrate continued resolve.
- On October 26, a tentative agreement and return-to-work agreement was reached. Ratification voting took place November 6-13.
- On November 13, BCGEU members voted to ratify the tentative agreement.
Agreement highlights
Under the agreement, employees will receive a general wage increase of 3% per year for four years, along with additional targeted pay adjustments for the lowest paid workers in the public service to address the affordability crisis. It also includes a range of non-monetary improvements and enhanced benefits, including:
- Proper classification and evaluation of job duties to ensure that members are fairly compensated for the work they do, with the formation of a joint committee to develop a new, relevant and fair system of classification evaluation to replace the existing Public Service Job Evaluation Plan (PSJEP).
- Stronger job protections, including a new process to review excluded positions and return improperly excluded ones to the bargaining unit.
- A faster grievance tribunal process to resolve disputes more efficiently.
- Improved vision care and counselling benefits to better support mental health and overall wellbeing.
- Established a category of fully remote workers that have unique agreement protections.
To find specific information on the union's bargaining demands, monetary ask, the PSA's counteroffer and more, please see the FAQ here.
Wages & economy
The BCGEU published the report, B.C.’s public service: An investment in public safety and a healthy economy, to demonstrate how investing in public sector workers is both necessary and economically feasible. Below is a summary of the findings:
- B.C. public service workers are in an affordability crisis – and that puts the services everyone relies on at risk.
- B.C.’s public service is smaller than the Canadian total – and we’re hiring too many managers.
- Public spending improves services and strengthens the economy – and it’s possible now.
Read or download the report here: B.C.’s public service: An investment in public safety and a healthy economy [PDF]
The BC Public Service workforce
BCGEU members working for the BC Public Service deliver the services we all rely on to protect and support families, communities, the economy and our natural environment.
Their roles include wildland firefighters, social workers, correctional officers and sheriffs, administrative professionals, conservation officers, court workers, biologists, design engineers, scientific/technical officers, planning officers and many more. As well, workers like liquor and cannabis retail and distribution staff generate the vital revenue that funds these services.
Quick facts:
- The Main Public Service Agreement is negotiated with the provincial government represented by the Public Service Agency (PSA). The PSA is the employer. BCGEU members are the only public service employees covered by this agreement.
- The BCGEU’s public service bargaining unit is one of the largest in B.C., consisting of over 34,000 members including 2,000 BC Wildfire Service workers, 2,350 correctional officers and sheriffs, 4,850 liquor and cannabis retail and distribution staff, 3,600 Ministry of Children and Family Development workers, and over 14,000 administrative professionals working in ministries and departments across the provincial government.
- The previous public service collective agreement – the 19th Main Agreement – took effect April 1, 2022, and expired on March 31, 2025.
- Negotiations for the 20th Main Agreement began on January 22, 2025.
- The BCGEU was the first union representing workers in B.C.’s broader public sector to begin bargaining with the PSA this round.
- Almost 600,000 people work in B.C.’s broader public sector.