BCGEU members vote 89 per cent in favour of deal to officially end strike

The British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) confirmed that members ratified an agreement with the provincial government, marking the end of an eight-week strike. According to the union, 79% of members participated in the vote, with 89% supporting the deal, which includes a 3% wage increase each year for four years. Union president Paul Finch stated that the agreement represents a victory for workers who sought to address the rising cost of living and retain experienced public servants. The deal also features pay increases for the lowest-paid public servants and enhancements to vision and mental health benefits. Finch thanked British Columbians for their support during the strike, which prioritized minimizing disruption to public services.

Most of the 34,000 union members were actively participating in the strike by the time a tentative deal was announced on October 26. This agreement aims to ensure that critical services continue to be delivered effectively. The ratification signifies a crucial step towards improving working conditions for public servants in British Columbia.