Contract talks between the BCGEU and the province ended Friday with a promise to resume on June 6.

This week marked the first time the two sides met since negotiations broke off at the end of March. The three days of talks followed on the heels of strike vote that gave the union an 82 per cent show of support.

“We went back to the bargaining table this week with a solid strike mandate,” BCGEU president Darryl Walker said in a press release. “Our members told us loud and clear they’re willing to take job action if that’s the only way to get a fair and reasonable deal.”

Wage increases, improved benefits and job security top the list of union bargaining priorities.

BCGEU represents 25,000 government workers. Members in Kamloops include government administration staff, corrections and sheriff services, liquor retailing and wholesale operations, social workers, probation officers, child-protection workers, environmental services and some health-care workers.

A strike could cripple some services, but the union hasn't had to resort to strike action since 1988.