Sunday October 26, 2025 | VITORIA, BC [Posted at 10:53 pm | Updated October 27, 2025 – 12:45 pm & 5:06 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Around 8:30 pm this evening the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCFRA) issued an email to express their excitement at BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) public sector workers being back to work tomorrow.
However, there is no BCGEU statement about ‘back to work’ specifically; the agreement between BCGEU and the BC Government must still be voted on (ratified) by BCGEU members.
BCRFA President Ian Tostenson says their plan is to now make a “major effort to restock”.
That refers to the inability to get enough liquor supply when BCGEU workers were on strike and not working (or blocking with picket lines) at the various Liquor Distribution Branch offices and government-run liquor stores.
Earlier today, BCGEU announced that they would ask their members to vote on ratification of a mediated agreement that would see employees get a 3% increase per year for four years, as well as other changes to working conditions (e.g. telework) and also bringing some workers back under the union umbrella.
The leadership that has been required of the BCFRA shows how dependent the economy is on restaurants and food service, in particular on the availability of alcoholic beverages.
Strike impact for other unions:
BCGEU has taken escalating job action for eight weeks, starting September 2 and punctuating with a press conference and rally on October 16; the parties were back to the table with a mediator starting October 17.
The overall message across Canada about government employees holding out for what they feel is an acceptable agreement could be impactful.
“Our members stood together and proved that collective action works,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch earlier today “This agreement belongs to them. It’s a win for fairness, for public services, and for everyone in British Columbia.”
Members of the Professional Employees’ Union (PEA) remain on strike. BCGEU members will respect picket lines in solidarity with the striking PEA members.
Premier Eby’s comment:
“Restaurant owners have faced the brunt of the impact of this strike,” said Premier David Eby in a media session on Monday in Victoria, while at the same time thanking BCGEU and the mediators for producing a tentative agreement.
Alcohol-dependent business sectors:
Restaurants, pubs, bars and catering and event services will have been impacted by a reduced availability of alcohol during the BCGEU strike.
===== RELATED:
- BCGEU reaches tentative agreement after 8 weeks on strike (October 26, 2025)
- BC Government and BCGEU returning to negotiations (October 17, 2025)
- BCGEU escalates job action, says government misspends on infrastructure (October 16, 2025)
- BCGEU job action seems stalled in 7th week (October 15, 2025)
- BCGEU strike impact on restaurants gets relayed to BC premier by BCRFA (October 15, 2025)
- BCGEU rally in Victoria Oct 6: how much can it move the needle? (October 6, 2025)
- Preparing BC Budget 2026 with input from municipalities and economists – Finance Minister Brenda Bailey at UBCM (September 29, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: BCGEU | 43rd BC PARLIAMENT | JOBS & EMPLOYMENT