Press Release: All Government Licensed Professions who work for the BC public service on strike
October 16, 2025 (Victoria) – All Government Licensed Professionals represented by the Professional Employees Association (PEA) are now on strike across the province. This escalation follows the breakdown of negotiations with the BC government on Tuesday, October 14 after the BC government failed to present a revised general wage offer or respond to any monetary proposals.
Talks broke down quickly when it became clear that the government was not prepared to improve its position or meaningfully address long-standing recruitment and retention challenges across the public service. The general wage increase for the PEA remains at just 3.5 per cent over a two-year contract.
“We had hoped the BC government would come to the table with a revised wage offer so that our members could get back to work,” said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the PEA and lead negotiator. “Instead, they arrived empty-handed. After seven weeks on the picket lines, it is deeply disappointing for our members to have the government refuse to recognize the value of its own public service. They have left us with no choice but to escalate this job action and put all government licensed professionals on strike.”
The strike is the longest in the union’s 51-year history, underscoring both the seriousness of the dispute and the frustration of workers, who have seen little progress at the bargaining table. More than 1,600 professionals are now on strike at worksites across the province with the following new ministries joining those that are already fully on strike: Agriculture and Food, Energy and Climate Solutions, Environment and Parks, and Forests.
“These workers don’t want to be on strike — they want to get back to keeping British Columbians safe and our communities strong,” added Moroz. “The government has the power to end this strike by investing in the public service.”
A full list of picket lines can be viewed HERE.
Over 1,800 licensed professionals work across the province, including engineers, foresters, geoscientists, psychologists, and other specialized experts. The PEA entered bargaining with the Public Service Agency on May 27, 2025, but talks broke down after the government failed to address the union’s key issues, including wages, reimbursement of required licensing fees, and a commitment to reducing reliance on external contractors. On August 29, members voted in favour of a strike, issued 72-hour notice and began picketing alongside the BCGEU on September 2, 2025.
Backgrounder:: www.pea.org/bcexperts
Photos of PEA members on strike: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peainbc/
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Media Contact: Jordana Whetter, Communications Director
jwhetter@pea.org 250.516.5552
