The labor union representing workers outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District has announced a work stoppage this weekend, impacting operations in 25 regional parks. The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU), consisting of approximately 750 workers responsible for various regional services, including wastewater management, air quality monitoring, and park maintenance, has been working without a contract for 19 months.
Earlier this summer, the union staged a one-day strike to highlight the ongoing contract dispute with Metro Vancouver, which governs 21 municipalities. Following unsuccessful attempts to draw attention to their concerns through rotating strikes and overtime bans, the GVRDEU has decided to escalate job action.
According to union spokesperson Bill Tieleman, workers will cease garbage collection and trail maintenance, potentially affecting emergency access for park users needing medical assistance. However, a Metro Vancouver spokesperson refuted this claim, stating that essential services such as garbage collection, park patrol, bylaw enforcement, and ensuring safe park access will continue uninterrupted.
Tieleman expressed doubts about the ability of a small group of essential workers to maintain the same level of service as the 100 workers participating in the strike. He mentioned that approximately 100 unionized park workers will be withdrawn from their duties, leaving only 15 workers to oversee operations in 25 regional parks as per the essential services agreements with Metro Vancouver.
The union advised hikers and park visitors to consider alternative parks not under Metro Vancouver’s jurisdiction this weekend. Notable parks managed by the regional district include Pacific Spirit Park, Grouse Mountain Regional Park, and Belcarra Regional Park.
Despite the appointment of a mediator by the B.C. Labour Relations Board to facilitate negotiations, no further talks had been scheduled. Tieleman outlined three key concerns of the union that remain unaddressed by management: workplace safety, employee retention, and the outsourcing of work.
Metro Vancouver assured that all programs and park reservations would proceed as planned over the weekend. The regional district emphasized its commitment to reaching a mutually agreeable resolution at the bargaining table, welcoming additional mediated bargaining sessions to achieve a settlement.