Overview

• About 2,000 of the BCGEU’s roughly 34,000 public-service members set up day-one picket lines at government sites in Victoria, Surrey and Prince George, plus a surprise line at the Royal BC Museum.
• Union leaders reported some service disruption at an ICBC licensing office in Surrey, while emphasizing that wildfire response and other designated essential services continue.
• BCGEU is seeking a two-year package with a 4% wage increase in year one and 4.25% in year two or a cost-of-living adjustment, along with remote-work rights and contract modernization.
• Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said representatives are exploring a return to bargaining under the province’s ‘balanced measures’ mandate, but the union says no improved wage offer has been presented.
• The Professional Employees Association pledged solidarity and signaled it is prepared to escalate if needed, as the union vowed to keep pickets up until a fair deal is reached.