Media Release: Government Licensed Professionals from the BC public service have voted to strike and will be issuing 72-hour strike notice later today
Media Release: Government Licensed Professionals from the BC public service have voted to strike and will be issuing 72-hour strike notice later today
August 29, 2025 (Victoria) – The Government Licensed Professionals (GLP) who work for the BC government have voted in favour of a strike and will be issuing 72-hour strike notice later today. Over 1,800 licensed professionals work across the province, including engineers, foresters, geoscientists, psychologists, and other specialized experts.
The Professional Employees Association (PEA), the union representing the GLP, entered bargaining with the Public Service Agency (PSA) on May 27, 2025, but negotiations quickly stalled after the government failed to address key issues raised by members, including fair wages, professional fee coverage, and appropriate compensation for emergency work.
“This strike vote sends a clear message,” said Melissa Moroz, Executive Director of the PEA and lead negotiator. “These professionals are asking for competitive wages that reflect the value of the work they do. Public sector wages are already so far behind, the government needs to go beyond the bare minimum, or they we will continue to lose the experts we depend on.”
For decades, the BC government has struggled to recruit and retain the professionals it needs. Jobs in areas like transportation, and children and family development, have long-standing vacancies because wages in the public service don’t compete with the private sector. Engineers, child and youth psychologists, and other experts regularly leave the public service for better pay, meaning even fewer experts are left to deliver the services that British Columbians count on.
“Until the government makes fair compensation a priority, vacancies will remain unfilled, and more professionals will leave,” Moroz added. “Now is the time for the government to invest in the people who uphold the public service.”
The PEA has begun planning job action which could happen as soon as Tuesday, September 2. The union remains committed to getting back to the table once the government provides a meaningful offer that recognizes the value of professionals in the public service.
For more information on Government Licensed Professionals: www.pea.org/bcexperts
Government Licensed Professionals Backgrounder
Images for media use can be downloaded from Google Drive
About the PEA
Established in 1974 to represent Government Licensed Professionals in the BC Public Service, the Professional Employees Association (PEA) is a labour union in British Columbia representing professionals across the public service, education, legal, union, and health care sectors.
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Media Contact: Jordana Whetter, Communications Director
jwhetter@pea.org 250-516-5552
