The public service strike in British Columbia is intensifying as workers at liquor and cannabis distribution sites join the action. Announced on Monday, this expansion brings the total number of striking public service workers to over 10,000 across 36 locations in the province. Currently, 28 of these sites have active picket lines, while others are under overtime bans.

The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has been on strike since early September, gradually escalating their job actions each week. The latest phase includes BCGEU members at the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch’s warehouses in Delta and Kamloops, as well as the head office in Burnaby. Additional sites affected include wholesale customer service centers and a cannabis distribution center, along with various ministry locations in Victoria and Vancouver.

Initially, the strike focused on core government operations, with picket lines set up at ministry offices. However, the union has recently broadened its actions to include staff in more public-facing roles. Last week, the strike extended to workers responsible for issuing B.C. Services Cards, managing freedom of information requests, and maintaining IT systems and B.C. Bids.

BCGEU President Paul Finch stated, "Up to now, we’ve focused job action on government operations while minimizing disruptions for the public. But with government refusing to come back to the table, we’re left with no choice. Public service workers cannot keep falling further behind. Government’s low offer is essentially telling British Columbians to expect cuts to the services they depend on. We will continue escalating until government brings a fair wage mandate. The next move is theirs."

The union argues that the government’s latest wage offer of 3.5 percent falls short of the province’s projected inflation rate of 4.9 percent. They contend that public service workers' wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living in the province. The union's proposal of a 4 percent raise in the first year and 4.25 percent in the second year was rejected by the government. The province has indicated that the cost of the union’s demands "only tells part of the story."

For a complete list of current BCGEU picket lines, individuals can visit the union's website.