The labor union representing outdoor workers in the Metro Vancouver Regional District has announced a work stoppage scheduled for this weekend, impacting operations in 25 regional parks. The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU) comprises about 750 workers responsible for various regional services such as wastewater management, air quality monitoring, and park maintenance. These workers have been working without a contract for 19 months.
Earlier this summer, the union staged a one-day strike to highlight their contract dispute with Metro Vancouver, the regional government representing 21 municipalities. Following unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue through rotating strikes and overtime bans, the GVRDEU has decided to escalate their job action.
According to union spokesperson Bill Tieleman, essential services like garbage collection and trail maintenance will be affected as approximately 100 unionized park workers are set to be withdrawn from their duties. This will leave only about 15 workers to manage the operations of 25 regional parks based on agreements with Metro Vancouver.
Despite assurances from a Metro Vancouver spokesperson that essential services, including park patrol and bylaw enforcement, will continue as usual, Tieleman raised concerns about the ability of a small group of essential workers to maintain the same level of service. He advised hikers and park visitors to consider alternative locations not managed by Metro Vancouver for this weekend.
The union emphasized that no further negotiation talks were scheduled, with a mediator appointed by the B.C. Labour Relations Board tasked with facilitating a resolution. Key concerns raised by the union include workplace safety, staff retention, and the outsourcing of work. Metro Vancouver stated in a release that all regional park programs and reservations would proceed as planned, emphasizing their commitment to reaching a fair agreement through mediation.
Popular parks and trails managed by the regional district include Pacific Spirit Park, Grouse Mountain Regional Park, and Belcarra Regional Park. The ongoing labor dispute has led to uncertainty regarding the provision of services in these areas.