B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) members sit outside of a B.C. provincial liquor store in Vancouver, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

By Canadian Press

B.C. restaurant industry relieved after tentative public service deal to end strike

Oct 27, 2025 | 12:11 PM

The head of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association says a tentative deal to end a strike by the province’s public sector workers is welcome news after the dispute brought government liquor distribution to a halt.

Association president Ian Tostenson says the last couple of months have been stressful for restaurants and bars as they ran stocks down while government workers walked picket lines.

Tostenson says the industry was buoyed, however, by “great support” from local wineries, breweries and distilleries that stepped up to deliver products as the strike wore on.

He says some businesses were able to stock up before the BC General Employees’ Union escalated strike action to include liquor stores and warehouses, but some small and medium-sized restaurants weren’t able to do so, due to cash and space constraints.

Tostenson says manufacturers struggled to keep up with the increased demand, but relationships with the food and beverage industry were “strengthened” as a result.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

21h ago

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

23h ago

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

The union announced Sunday that it had reached a tentative deal with the province after several days of mediated talks, and will recommend to its members to vote to accept the deal, which includes general wage increases of three per cent each year for four years.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2025.