Metro Vancouver Strike Ends After One Day, No Deal Yet
Outside workers called off full-scale job action but restricted hours continue at 30 regional parks as union and employer remain at impasse over mediation.
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Metro Vancouver's outside workers ended their full-scale strike after one day on Monday, but no agreement to resume negotiations has been reached.
The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union walked off the job Monday with the exception of essential-service staff, but halted the action the same day. Union president Jesse Medeiros said the strike achieved its goal of drawing attention to the labour dispute and expressed hope that Metro Vancouver would return to the bargaining table without preconditions.
However, the union and employer remain at odds. Metro Vancouver said it had "learned" Monday that the union agreed to mediation with the Labour Relations Board. The union disputed this, saying no agreement to mediation exists without the removal of what it describes as "preconditions" from the employer.
Union spokesperson Bill Tieleman characterized the situation as "dynamic" but clarified there are no confirmed dates to return to bargaining with or without a mediator.
While the full-scale strike has ended, the union says its members at 30 regional parks and greenways will continue to work restricted hours. The union represents more than 700 workers covering operations in water and wastewater treatment, air quality tracking, natural resources, parks, infrastructure, and ecological reserves across Metro Vancouver.