The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), representing over 34,000 provincial public sector workers, has announced it will proceed toward a strike vote from August 11-29, following a breakdown in contract negotiations with the provincial government.

There are no details yet on what may happen if a strike mandate is issued, but the Langley Chamber is closely monitoring this development given the potential for economic disruption across sectors.

What’s Happening
Talks between the BCGEU and the provincial government’s Public Service Agency have reached an impasse. The union has stated it is “prepared to take whatever job action is necessary” should a deal not be reached following the vote. At this stage, the union has not indicated what specific areas might be affected by potential job action, but many in the business community will recall the 2022 BCGEU strike, which resulted in disruption to the liquor distribution system and had significant negative impacts on sectors such as hospitality, retail, and events.

Who Is Involved
The public service bargaining unit of the BCGEU includes a wide range of front-line and administrative roles across British Columbia. These workers deliver a variety of provincial services,  Income and disability assistance, Employment and job training services, Court services and corrections, Provincial government administration, Liquor and cannabis distribution and retail, and more.

Our Position
While the Langley Chamber understands fair bargaining, we are foremost concerned with the potential negative impacts that job action could have on businesses—particularly those that interact with or depend on public sector services.  We will continue to monitor this situation and will engage with provincial officials to share concerns and ensure government decision-makers understand the practical consequences that work stoppages can have on local economies.