British Columbia General Employees' Union President Paul Finch speaks outside an ICBC driver licensing office, in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS

By The Canadian Press

B.C. union calls for full-time work-from-home due to spiking gas prices

Mar 30, 2026 | 11:11 AM

BURNABY — The BC General Employees’ Union is asking for provincially regulated employees to be allowed to work from home full time due to high fuel prices.

The union, which represents 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members, says in a statement that the temporary allowance would help alleviate the burden facing members due to gas prices that have surged amid the Iran war.

The union also says the province should look at ways to provide temporary relief for workers who must travel extensively in their jobs and can’t use public transport, especially if gas prices remain elevated.

The province did not immediately provide a response to the union’s ask.

B.C.’s average price on GasBuddy.com jumped from around 130 cents a litre at the end of February to around 173 cents this week.

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Union president Paul Finch says the move to keep public workers at home could also help B.C. reduce emissions and road congestion.

“The increasing price of gas places an undue burden on workers across the province,” Finch says in a statement. “The provincial government has an opportunity to help alleviate that burden by allowing workers the flexibility to work from home.”

The union’s call coincides with a similar request to Canada’s governments by the Canadian Association of Professional Employees, which cited recommendations of the International Energy Agency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2026.

The Canadian Press