Metro Vancouver strike set for Monday

Metro Vancouver Regional District workers will launch a full strike starting Monday, June 15, after negotiations stalled and management set preconditions the union has already rejected.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union has been without a new contract for 17 months. Bill Tieleman, the union's spokesperson, said outstanding issues include health and safety improvements, restrictions on contracting-out of union work, and recruitment and retention of skilled workers.

"We have a plethora of problems with the way this organization is being managed," Tieleman said. Workers cited mismanagement at the North Shore Wastewater treatment plant, which will cost taxpayers up to $700 per home annually for 20 to 30 years with none going to frontline services.

Work Safe BC has fined Metro Vancouver over $800,000 for two serious accidents in the last six years. "Health and safety are more important than money," Tieleman said. "If a worker can't feel they're going to go home safe at the end of the day, nothing else matters."

Job action is already underway at watersheds, water treatment plants, and protective services across the region. Essential workers are excluded from the strike.

This escalation marks the union's next step after weeks of rotating pickets at key facilities.