The B.C. General Employees’ Union is intensifying its job action by targeting front-line services. On Thursday morning, the union announced that its members at the Ministry of Citizens’ Services in Victoria and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch in Burnaby would go on strike.

The Ministry of Citizens’ Services is responsible for issuing B.C. Services Cards, managing freedom of information requests, and maintaining IT systems. The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch oversees the regulation of B.C.’s gaming industry, including the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

Union officials expect the expanded job action to cause delays for individuals, businesses, and government ministries. It may also disrupt gambling service providers and slow down a significant source of provincial revenue.

BCGEU President Paul Finch stated, "When this work stops, it creates real pressure on government to return to the table with a fair wage offer." Until now, the union's job actions have primarily affected core government operations, excluding the Royal B.C. Museum. This latest escalation marks the first time the public may experience significant disruptions.

Finch emphasized that the government’s refusal to negotiate a fair wage has left the union with no choice but to expand its actions. "We are now expanding job action to sites that are essential to both the public and businesses — a step we had hoped to avoid," he said.

Currently, 4,600 union members are on strike at 19 picket lines across British Columbia, while an additional 3,900 members are refusing overtime. The BCGEU has been on strike since early September, advocating for better wages after their proposal of a 4 percent increase in the first year and a 4.24 percent increase in the second year was rejected.

The province argues that the union's request for an 8.24 percent wage increase is excessive. Finch countered this claim, stating, "The government’s current offer of 3.5 percent over two years falls short of inflation projections for B.C. over the same period." He noted that while wages in B.C. have risen by 40.6 percent since 2016, public service workers have only seen a 27.2 percent increase.

"We’re on strike to close that 13.4-point gap and keep up with the cost of living. Public service workers cannot keep falling behind," Finch added.

The expanded job action follows recent announcements that overtime bans have also affected members working in corrections across the province. For a complete list of current BCGEU picket lines, the union encourages visiting their website.