Striking Metro Vancouver outside workers will gather in force Friday at the regional district’s management headquarters in Burnaby.
Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU) officially filed a 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Relations Board last week after bargaining with its employer reportedly reached an impasse.
The strike officially began Sunday, with the union warning that outside workers would begin taking job action, starting with a ban on overtime work until further notice.
Throughout the week, workers walked off the job — but later returned to work — at multiple wastewater facilities and operation centres.
In an update Friday, the union says picket lines remain in place at the Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation, the South Fraser Construction Yard in Surrey, and the Head Office at Burnaby’s Metrotower III.
GVRDEU President Jesse Medeiros says the rally will target the Board of Directors, who are scheduled to meet Friday at 9 a.m.
“Senior management at Metro Vancouver has to be reined in by elected Board members and change must happen,” Medeiros said.
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Earlier, he explained members’ concerns include “worker safety, protection against contracting out bargaining-unit work and measures to support recruitment and retention.”
Members began picketing at headquarters at 8 a.m., with a full rally planned for the central courtyard at 1 p.m., when the board meeting is expected to end.