Firefighters join widening B.C. public service strike as mediated talks continue

The labour dispute between the British Columbia government and its public service workers has intensified as more members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) join ongoing strike action.

The union confirmed that employees from the BC Wildfire Service and the Ministry of Forests have joined the picket lines, even as mediated discussions with the province continue. The BC Wildfire Service reports 94 active fires across the province, most of which are under control, and essential operations remain in place to protect public safety.

With the latest escalation, more than 25,000 of the BCGEU’s 34,000 members are now on strike, affecting over 550 worksites across British Columbia. The job action has entered its eighth week, disrupting a wide range of government services, including operations tied to liquor and cannabis distribution.

Negotiations are being facilitated by veteran mediator Vince Ready, who began non-binding talks with both sides over the weekend in an effort to reach a settlement. The union is seeking improvements to wages and working conditions amid rising costs of living, while the government says it remains committed to finding a fair and sustainable resolution.