After eight weeks of job action involving more than 25,000 public service workers across British Columbia, the BC General Employees’ Union has reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government — effectively ending one of the largest public sector strikes in the province’s history.

The four-year deal will now go to BCGEU’s 34,000 public service members for ratification in the coming days. The agreement was reached late Friday after eight days of mediation led by veteran mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers. “This tentative agreement is the result of the incredible strength and solidarity of BCGEU and PEA members across the province,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch in a statement. “For eight weeks, they held the line—standing up for themselves, their families, and the public services that make life in B.C. possible.”

Key Terms of the Agreement

According to the union, the tentative deal includes general wage increases of 3% per year over four years, along with targeted pay adjustments for the lowest-paid workers to help address B.C.’s affordability crisis.

Other improvements include:

• Modernized telework provisions and protections for fully remote workers.
• Stronger job protections, including a process to review and return improperly excluded positions to the bargaining unit.
• A faster grievance process to resolve disputes.
• Enhanced benefits, such as improved vision care and mental health supports.

Finch said the agreement represents “meaningful movement” toward closing the gap between public sector wages and the rising cost of living. “This agreement is a step toward fairness,” he said. “It helps ensure that experienced public service workers can afford to stay in their jobs and continue delivering the critical services British Columbians rely on every day.”

Solidarity With PEA Members Continues

While the BCGEU has reached a tentative agreement, members of the Professional Employees Association remain on strike. BCGEU members will continue to respect PEA picket lines until their colleagues also secure a deal. “The length of this job action illustrates the seriousness of the issues that PEA and BCGEU workers face,” said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the PEA. “Our solidarity on the picket lines has shown our strength.”

Public Support and Next Steps

Throughout the job action, the BCGEU maintained essential services and said it aimed to minimize disruptions to the public, particularly in the early stages of the strike. Finch expressed gratitude to British Columbians for their patience and support. “Our members never took the decision to strike lightly,” he said. “Their commitment was always to strengthen, not disrupt, public services.”

The BCGEU bargaining committee will now recommend the agreement for ratification, and members are expected to vote in the coming days. Results will be released once the process concludes. “Our members stood together and proved that collective action works,” Finch added. “This agreement belongs to them. It’s a win for fairness, for public services, and for everyone in British Columbia.”