The union representing unionized outdoor Metro Vancouver workers says its rotating job action at wastewater treatment plant operations and a handful of regional parks has been called off for the time being.
Members of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU) started picketing at the Grouse Grind, Deas Island Regional Park, and the Derby Reach Regional Park in Langley Township at 6 a.m. Monday. The union says those picket lines came down at 11 p.m. the same day.
The union says the job action was called off because it didn’t want to inconvenience the public during the dispute.
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“Our members are frontline workers who enjoy working at the Grouse Grind and the other popular regional parks, and they greatly appreciated the strong support from the public in their efforts to get a new collective agreement after 17 months,” said GVRDEU president Jesse Medeiros.
“We have returned to work for Tuesday so people can enjoy these great parks.”
Medeiros says until Metro Vancouver is willing to restart negotiations, there will be escalating job action, which could include a full strike.
In a statement to CityNews, Metro Vancouver says it is ready to return to the bargaining table with the support of a mediator.
“Metro Vancouver has consistently offered dates to the union in good faith, including five different bargaining dates recently, all of which were declined by the union,” said Metro Vancouver media relations manager Jillian Glover.
“We have also repeatedly requested the appointment of a mediator to support progress. To date, the union has not agreed.”
The GVRDEU represents more than 700 members who maintain and operate regional services. Members say their main sticking points are health and safety, contracting work, and recruitment and retention.