Members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) have signed a new agreement with the province.
The new agreement that was ratified by the BCGEU committee represents over 32,000 people working in occupations that provide core government services such as: environmental management, social services and sheriffs and correctional officers.
Unionized employees of the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, BC Pension Corporation, Destination BC and the Royal BC Museum were also affected.
Since the previous agreement expired on March 31st, 2022, the BCGEU have been disputing past agreements with the province in order to get higher pay.
They’ve been negotiating with the government to come up with a new agreement since February, 2022.
The BCGEU was asking for a 5% pay boost each year for two years or a raise to match the cost of living, whichever is higher.
After about a half a month of picket lines at various BC Liquor Distribution branches, the BCGEU strike ended on August 30th as the committee returned to the bargaining table with the BC Public Service Agency (PSA).
This newly ratified agreement is now in effect and it is the 19th Main Agreement between the BC PSA and the BCGEU.
The ratified agreement between the BCGEU and the BC PSA includes:
- A three-year term
- General wage increases for:
- Year 1: A flat increase of $0.25 per hour, which provides a greater percentage increase for lower paid employees (for BCGEU workers, an average of 0.76%) plus 3.24%
- Year 2: An increase of 5.5% plus a potential cost of living adjustment to a maximum of 6.75%
- Year 3: An increase of 2% plus a potential cost of living adjustment to a maximum of 3%
- A negotiable “flexibility allocation” of up to 0.25% in years 1 and 2 to support mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties
- Pay adjustments for certain occupations to respond to recruitment and retention challenges
- Provisions to provide Indigenous employees with access to paid leave so they can engage with activities that provide them connection to their culture and land.
- Language to support employees health, safety and mental health
A total of 71% of eligible BCGEU voters took part in the vote to ratify the agreement.
It was passed by a mere 53% in favour of ratification.
The Public Service Bargaining Committee is pleased to announce that the public service bargaining unit voted 53.4% in favour of the tentative agreement reached w/ the employer, BC's Public Service Agency. 71.2% of the 32,600 eligible members in the bargaining unit voted.#bcpoli
— BCGEU (@bcgeu) October 18, 2022
As a result of this ratification, BCGEU employees will not be going on strike any time soon and British Columbians need not worry about their access to BC Liquor Stores.
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