All remaining BC Liquor, Cannabis stores join BCGEU strike

All BC Liquor and Cannabis Stores closed Wednesday as public service workers escalated job actions by the BC General Employees’ Union. This action now includes all 234 locations, with workers initially joining picket lines in late September. Union President Paul Finch stated that the government has left the union with no choice after an unsuccessful negotiation attempt last week. He expressed concern for the public's difficulties over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend and encouraged them to contact their MLAs regarding the situation. The union's demands for higher wages are in response to cost-of-living challenges, while the government cites fiscal constraints in negotiations.

Finch emphasized that polling indicates British Columbians view the union's demands as reasonable. The provincial government is grappling with a record $11. 6 billion deficit, complicating negotiations. The strike involves nearly 25,000 workers across 431 sites, reflecting significant labor unrest in the province.