British Columbia’s public sector strike has intensified, with all remaining government-run liquor and cannabis stores shutting their doors as workers join picket lines.
The B.C. General Employees’ Union announced today that employees at every provincial liquor and cannabis outlet, along with Service BC centers and the Ministry of Labour, have joined the strike. In total, nearly 25,000 workers are now off the job, impacting 431 worksites across the province.
“We don’t take this escalation lightly, and we know that disruptions to services are difficult for the public—we regret the impact this is having on communities,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch. “But after months of patience, our members have been left with no alternative. The government has a choice: they can sit down and bargain with us—or they can continue to let this disruption escalate. We’re ready to talk. The ball is in their court.”
The escalation follows a massive rally in Victoria earlier this week, where more than 10,000 workers and supporters marched to the B.C. Legislature as the fall session began. Union leaders framed the demonstration as one of the largest labour rallies in decades, pressing for what they describe as a fair contract and stronger investment in public services.
All Service BC locations are now closed as a result of the strike, alongside liquor and cannabis outlets. The BCGEU says its bargaining committee is prepared to return to negotiations once the government makes a revised wage offer. Talks have been stalled for over a week.
Until then, strike action is expected to continue to grow, leaving provincial services—including the cannabis retail system—at a standstill.
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