The largest union representing British Columbia government workers is taking a strike vote among 25,000 of its members.

The BCGEU's master agreement with the provincial government expires March 31. President Daryl Walker said the bargaining team had expected to negotiate through the weekend, but talks have stalled.

The union members have had their wages frozen for three years, and the government's offer isn't enough to keep up with the rising cost of living, he said. "At some point this needs to stop. At some point we need to move forward."

The government has offered 1.5 percent increases for two years, while the union is seeking an increase to match the cost of living plus one percent, he said. Last year the cost of living went up three percent, so if it remains steady the union would be seeking a raise in the order of four percent a year.

Walker said the union has brought forward some areas where the government can generate revenue or save money, such as opening liquor stores on Sundays, recognizing the mandate to find "cooperative gains". As with the previous net zero mandate, the idea is to fund any increases in labour expenses with savings or new money.

So far the government hasn't accepted any of the union's suggestions as counting towards cooperative gains. "It seems to be a bit of a moving target," said Walker.

The strike vote will take three weeks and the union is expecting to be back at the negotiating table in May, Walker said.

In a statement to members, Walker encouraged them to give negotiators a strong strike mandate. "Our ability to get a fair and reasonable collective agreement depends on it," he said. "A strong strike mandate shows our members support their bargaining teams and their bargaining proposals. Strong strike mandates lead to better collective agreements."

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon was unavailable for an interview.

The BCGEU hasn't been on strike since 1998, said David Vipond, the union's director of negotiations. "We're not strike happy."

The members who are voting work in corrections, sheriff services, liquor stores, liquor warehouses, child protection, probation and other government offices.

Update, 4:50 p.m.: "I am disappointed to hear that the negotiations for the BCGEU Master Agreement have broken down," Falcon said in an emailed statement. "I understood that progress was being made, but it is the union's right to take a strike vote. It is our hope that the parties will come back to the table to negotiate a new collective agreement for the Public Service. I still believe a negotiated settlement is possible."

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.