All remaining BC Liquor, Cannabis stores join BCGEU strike

All BC Liquor and Cannabis Stores have now closed their doors as job action by public service workers escalated once again Wednesday.

The BC General Employees’ Union says the latest escalation includes employees from the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Citizens’ Services — meaning all Service BC workers.

Workers from 25 BC Liquor Stores first joined the picket lines in late September. After weeks of more and more liquor and cannabis stores joining the action, the union says all 234 locations are now closed.

“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 Paul Finch, BCGEU President.  

He says the provincial government has left the union no choice, after a brief, unsuccessful return to negotiations last week.

Asked about the impact of the job action on the public around the Thanksgiving weekend, Finch says he feels for everyone out there, whether an individual or a small business.

“We thank the public for the support we have received, but we also ask them to reach out to their MLA. If their MLA is in the government caucus, ask them why they do not live by their values,” Finch told 1130 NewsRadio.

“Right now, we would much better be at work. And I would like to say, polling has consistently shown that British Columbians believe that we are reasonable here and government is not,” he added.

The two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, with workers demanding higher wages to address cost-of-living concerns and the government trying to find a deal amid fiscal constraints. But no one knows when.

“The government has not indicated to us any willingness to move off from their last offer,” Finch told 1130 NewsRadio.

The B.C. deficit is forecast as a record $11.6 billion, and Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has said the deal must be fair to both workers and taxpayers.

“We’re ready to talk. We’ve been ready. The ball is in their court,” said Finch on Wednesday.

The latest escalation brings the total of frontline workers taking job action to nearly 25,000 across 431 work sites.

—With files from The Canadian Press