The union for Metro Vancouver outside workers has filed 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB).
As of 3:36 p.m. on May 24, Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees Union members will be in a legal position to begin job action.
The last proposal failed to address key non-monetary items including language addressing worker safety, protection against contracting out bargaining-unit work and measures to support recruitment and retention.
“Our members who serve the public every day are extremely frustrated that Metro Vancouver management has declared a bargaining impasse and refused further talks unless the union accepts the employer’s last position as a pre-condition to resume talks,” said Jesse Medeiros, GVRDEU President.
Medeiros said union members voted 97.8 per cent in favour of possible job action in March to address the concerns presented to management by the bargaining committee and rejected.
“Our members are saddened that their union must resort to potential job action to secure a fair collective agreement that addresses worker safety and supports the recruitment and retention of critical public service workers,” said Medeiros. “We will inform the public of any developments as they become available.”
Medeiros said the last negotiations took place April 13 and no talks are scheduled. The LRB ruled on an essential services designation late last week, he added.
GVRDEU members operate and maintain regional services, such as protecting water, air, and natural resources, providing drinking water, sewer, and infrastructure services and stewarding parks, ecological reserves, and housing communities.