Public service employees in core government have ratified an agreement reached with the Public Service Agency under government’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate, which focuses on improving services for people and ensuring fair and affordable compensation.

Approximately 26,500 employees, who provide priority services including social, environmental and public safety services, are covered by the agreement, as well as members of the Liquor Distribution Branch and some employees at the BC Pension Corporation.

The agreement is consistent with the Sustainable Service Negotiating Mandate, and includes:

• a three-year term from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022;
• general wage increases of 2% per year;
• additional funding to help address staffing shortages with child protection social workers, deputy sheriffs and corrections officers to improve safety and security, as well as limit case delays;
• updated scheduling language to ensure consistent staffing levels so people can access services when and where they need them; and
• improvements to hiring and classification processes so the public service can respond quickly to urgent needs and deliver on top government priorities, like accessible child care and affordable housing.

The Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate supports government’s commitment to improve the services people count on, make life more affordable and invest in sustainable economic growth. The mandate is consistent with B.C.’s commitment to balanced budgets and sound fiscal management, and provides parties with the ability to negotiate conditional and modest funding to drive tangible service improvements for people in B.C.

Approximately 91,000 public sector employees are covered by tentative or ratified agreements reached under B.C.’s Sustainable Services Negotiating Mandate.

Learn more about public sector bargaining in B.C.:
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employers/public-sector-employers/public-sector-bargaining