Metro Vancouver regional parks lose services as union escalates strike Saturday
All outside workers walk off at 25 parks; only one essential worker per park after 4:30 p.m.
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As of July 5, the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employee Union escalated its strike action, pulling all unionized outside workers from Metro Vancouver's 25 regional parks.
Workers are limiting their hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 40 workers scheduled for evening shifts will not show up. After 4:30 p.m., only one essential service worker will be available across all 25 parks combined.
"There will not be any picket lines at these 25 popular parks, but we are advising the public that our members will not be providing regular services after 4:30 p.m., such as fixing trails, garbage collection, immediate first aid and other work," said GVRDEU President Jesse Medeiros.
The escalation comes 18 months into a contract dispute. Medeiros said Metro Vancouver has refused to drop pre-conditions for bargaining and is even demanding concessions. "We are doing everything we can to force Metro Vancouver back to the bargaining table with a reasonable offer, but that hasn't happened yet despite our job action, so things may have to escalate further."
Parks affected include Grouse Mountain and Capilano Regional Parks in North Vancouver, Pacific Spirit Park in Vancouver, Deas Island and Boundary Bay Regional Parks in Delta, Derby Reach and Campbell Valley Regional Parks in Langley Township, Belcarra Regional Park, and Tynehead Regional Park in Surrey.
Mediation with the Labour Relations Board is scheduled to begin Saturday, July 11.
