Talks are set to resume between the union representing British Columbia’s public service workers and the provincial government, as picket lines went up in Dawson Creek Friday.
Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees’ Union, said the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday.
The BC Liquor Store in Dawson Creek was one of 17 additional stores that went on strike on Friday after job action escalated on Monday.
Finch said there are now 77 liquor stores on strike across the province. He added that escalating job actions at liquor stores were meant to add pressure on the province to return to the bargaining table.
“We do understand that there is an enhance offer on the table, or we would not be going back to the table. Our expectation is that it’s something that meets the needs of our members,” the president said.
He added that a picket line in Dawson Creek allows all service workers in the region to strike physically.
“It may not be their work unit, but it’s still a picket line. We have a number of people who have been picketing remotely who are now joining in-person picket lines for the first time,” Finch said.
Customers at the Dawson Creel liquor store could be seen turned away at the door because of the strike.
More than 15,000 public service workers are currently engaged in job action across BC.
When asked why new picket lines were added despite talks set to resume, the president answered, “It’s thanks to the pressure and hard work of members on picket lines that government is finally ready to return to the negotiating table. We’re going to continue that pressure until we see what deal government is bringing to the table.”
The last set of talks between the union and its employer broke off in July. Finch believes that if the government is serious about getting a deal done, it can happen this time around.
With files by The Canadian Press from a report first published Sept. 26, 2025.