Metro Vancouver Parks and Water Workers Strike: What You Need to Know

Metro Vancouver unionized workers have resumed strike action, with employees in parks and water services walking off the job at 1:30 p.m. Friday. This job action follows the removal of electricians, maintenance mechanics, and trade forepersons from several drinking-water facilities earlier in the day.

The strike affects about 100 workers at regional parks, including Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Tynehead Regional Park, the Grouse Grind, and Capilano River Regional Park. As a result, 25 regional parks will be without garbage collection, trail repairs, and immediate first-aid response through the weekend.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU) says workers have been without a collective agreement for 19 months. GVRDEU president Jesse Medeiros stated, "This will unfortunately impact the public significantly, and we regret having to take job action yet again, but Metro Vancouver management has refused to return to bargaining with a new offer, and the elected mayors and councillors on the board don’t seem to care."

Medeiros pointed to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project, whose estimated cost has risen from $700 million to $3.86 billion, as well as increases in management pay, compensation, and staffing. "The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant costs skyrocketing; pay, compensation, and management staffing jumping by 69 per cent between 2019 and 2024; and WorkSafeBC fining Metro Vancouver over $800,000 for serious violations of multiple safety regulations and subsequent injuries caused," he said.

According to the union, a mediator from the BC Labour Relations Board is available for talks in August, but no bargaining sessions have been scheduled. Outstanding issues include workplace health and safety improvements, limits on contracting out union work, and measures aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of skilled workers.

Jillian Glover, media relations for Metro Vancouver, responded: "Mediated bargaining concluded on July 22 with Metro Vancouver putting forward an offer for the GVRDEU. Metro Vancouver is not asking for any concessions and remains committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table. We have made ourselves available for additional mediated bargaining dates to work toward a negotiated settlement." She added that the offer includes wage increases of more than 10 per cent over three years.