The B.C. government and the B.C. General Employees Union came to an agreement on Sunday morning after eight days of talks with mediators.

“The way that this dispute was handled showed that collective bargaining works and it’s a way to get the parties to work through these tough issues that they don’t necessarily, that they’re far apart on,” Barry Eidlin, a professor at McGill University, said.

“And it shows that, you know, you do need some compulsion.”

The four-year deal includes a three per cent wage increase each year, plus improved benefits and stronger job protections.

It also puts job action on pause after eight weeks of picketing at liquor stores and other government-run agencies. Thousands of members still need to review and vote on the agreement, which is expected to happen nex

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