BURNABY — Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines to 25 Liquor Distribution Branch retail stores in the latest escalation of job action.
The B.C. General Employees’ Union said Wednesday that more than 600 workers at the liquor stores have walked off the job across the province in an effort to push the government back to the negotiating table.
Union president Paul Finch said in a statement that the lack of response from the province “forced” workers to escalate strike action this week.
“We recognize this escalation will impact the restaurant industry and small businesses, who are being caught in the middle of this dispute,” Finch said.
“That’s why we’re calling on them to join us in pressing government to return to the table. Like them, we are frustrated that government continues to stall and refuses to return to the table to negotiate.”
The escalation comes days after the union sharply escalated job action against the province to include the headquarters of the Liquor Distribution Branch as well as three warehouses.
The union said the retail store locations where pickets have gone up were chosen because they are a “significant source of government revenue.”
It said it hopes to send a “clear message” to government with strike action at both liquor distribution and retail locations.
“By withholding their labour at both warehouses and retail stores, public service workers are sending a clear message: they are essential to generating the revenue that funds the vital services British Columbians depend on every day,” the statement said.
About 14,000 government workers are now taking part in the escalating strike action, which is now into its fourth week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2025.
The Canadian Press
