‘We are all pretty happy’: BCGEU bargaining committee member says deal was best one possible

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A member of the bargaining committee for the union representing civil workers in British Columbia said the tentative deal struck with the province this weekend was the best one possible.

Judy Fox-McGuire is the component six vice-president and member of the bargaining committee for the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), which was entangled in an eight-week strike as it fought with B.C’s Ministry of Finance over a new contract.

“I’m happy about the deal,” said Fox-McGuire in an interview with Energeticcity.ca. “We had a lot of issues going in. It took a long time.

“I wish we had been able to not have an eight-week strike. But I’m happy with the deal that we have. We are all pretty happy and relieved that our members can go back to work.”

Initially only involving civil workers, the strike – which began after Labour Day – eventually involved government-owned liquor stores, cannabis stores and government departments, affecting everything from driver’s licences to marriage certificates.

Across a number of industries, the BCGEU represents approximately 191 workers in Fort St. John and 486 workers in northeast B.C., classified as ‘area 10’ by the union.

After both sides had dug their heels in, they met in the Lower Mainland with mediators Vincent L. Ready and Amanda Rogers overseeing the non-binding mediation process.

Fox-McGuire said mediation took a full 24 hours, lasting from Saturday morning on October 25th into the early hours on Sunday, October 26th.

Although BCGEU bargaining committee members were looking for an eight per cent wage increase over two years, Fox-McGuire says the three per cent deal over four years gives the union “a degree of certainty.”

She said the deal also includes improved fairness over remote work, stronger job protections, a faster grievance process and improved benefits. 

“We are going to move through these four years knowing we have a contract in place that has job security language,” said Fox-McGuire. “We want some security for our members to know that they can continue to work and carry on with their lives.”

BCGEU president Paul Finch said in a press release the deal struck was “the result of the incredible strength and solidarity” of union members across B.C.

“For eight weeks, they held the line – standing up for themselves, their families and the public services that make life in B.C. possible,” said Finch. “This deal shows that when workers stand together, we can make real progress.” 

However, Marc Lee, an economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, told The Tyee the proposed wage increases would put workers just past inflation — projected to be 2.2 per cent in 2025 and 2.1 per cent in 2026, describing the situation as “treading water.”

Lee said: “I don’t think it’s a huge victory from the union perspective, and I don’t think it’s a horrible deal from the government’s perspective either.”

Brenda Bailey, B.C.’s finance minister, sent The Tyee an email which said she was “pleased to see a tentative agreement,” but added she would not comment further until members vote.

Fox-McGuire said BCGEU members will be expected to ratify the deal in the coming days, and online town halls discussing the finer points of the contract will begin for members on Thursday, October 30th.