BC Government/BCGEU announce tentative agreement in labour dispute

The prospects of finding your favourite beverage at a BC Liquor Store or cannabis products at local distributors has increased significantly with word to a tentative deal for the province's 30,000 public servants in a range of occupations.

The word of the tentative deal was released in an announcement  on Wednesday, highlighting how the proposed deal will cover a number of core government services such as social services, environmental management and public safety, including sheriffs and correctional officers. Also covered by the agreement are unionized members of the Liquor Distribution Branch, as well some employees at the BC Pension Corporation, Destination BC and the Royal BC Museum. 

The BCGEU provided a breakdown on Wednesday of some of the elements of the tentative agreement  

"The members of this bargaining unit have been clear from the day we started preparing for bargaining last fall that their top priorities were wage increases and meaningful wage protections and our committee took that message to the PSA. 

The 95% strike vote we got in June and actioned in August was our members' response to an offer that showed their employer had not gotten the message. 

After almost two weeks of job action and nine consecutive days at the table, enough progress was made that the committee decided it was time to let our members see what's on offer and have their say."-- Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU and chair of the bargaining committee

The success at the bargaining table comes as the provincial government continues with negotiations with Health Workers and prepares for a new round of negotiations with other bargaining units of the BCGEU.

In their notes from Wednesday, the BCGEU noted the scope of the negotiations taking place this year.

click to enlarge

The deal will be finalized should the membership give its approval during the ratification process.

Also up on the horizon for the government is a return to bargaining with the province's school teachers anticipated for later this month.

More notes from the Legislature can be explored here.

Further items of interest related to labour can be reviewed from our archive page.