The B.C. General Employees' Union says it has escalated strike action with 48 more worksites representing almost 2,600 more members joining picket lines.

18 more BC Liquor and Cannabis stores have been added to the list province-wide, along with every worksite in the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

Almost 25,000 public sector workers are now engaged in job action across BC.

Over 22,000 workers are on strike at 359 fully or partially struck worksites and there are 127 picket lines.

Contract talks broke down last week and the union says it is ready to go back to the bargaining table “as soon as the government presents a meaningful offer.”