The picket lines will stay up for now but the BC Government and the BC General Employees Union will be returning to the bargaining table to resume talks.

“Late last night the Public Service Agency (PSA) invited the BCGEU’s Public Service Bargaining Committee back to the table to resume talks,” the union said, in a brief statement Tuesday. “The bargaining committee has accepted that invitation.”

“Bargaining is expected to resume soon, but logistics are still being confirmed.”

Yesterday, the union announced that it was imposing an overtime ban for all members except those working for the BC Wildfire Service during the current wildfire season.

“We need wage increases that stop our members falling into debt every month because we’ve done internal polling and about 50 per cent of them are saying they are going further into debt just to meet their basic needs,” BCGEU President, Stephanie Smith, said Monday.

“Politicians of all stripes in Victoria have a cost-of-living adjustment built into their wages, so their wages have been tied to rates of inflation since 2007. Minimum wage in this province is now finally tied to rates of inflation. Anything that doesn’t do that is essentially a wage cut.”

Monday’s overtime ban came on the one week anniversary of the union setting up picket lines around liquor distribution outlets after issuing 72-hour strike notice on August 12. It has led to some limits on alcohol sales in the province.

“This is a significant development, and it is the direct result of the pressure BCGEU members have applied, which includes the current job action and shows solidarity from BCGEU members and allies,” the BCGEU statement added.

“In order to maintain that pressure, the union’s current job action will remain in effect until further notice.”

In a brief statement, Finance Minster Selina Robinson said the Province will respect the agreement with the union and make no further comments about the discussions at this time.

“I welcome the news that the BCGEU has accepted the Public Service Agency’s invitation to return to the bargaining table,” Robinson said.

“I am hopeful that talks this week will lead to a fair and reasonable collective agreement for members, the people of British Columbia and our government’s fiscal plan so that we also have the resources to continue delivering the services and support that everyone in B.C. depends on.”