Workers at Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant, represented by the union Unifor Local 433, have initiated a strike against employer Veolia. The union states that the strike was prompted by Veolia’s insistence on contract concessions from employees. Approximately 40 skilled trades workers, including steam engineers, are picketing the Burnaby facility managed by Veolia. According to Veolia’s website, the plant processes a quarter of the region’s solid waste, generating electricity for 16,000 households.
Negotiations on contract concessions stalled last month, leading to the current strike action. Unifor’s western regional director, Gavin McGarrigle, argues that Veolia’s costs are already fixed for the next four years due to the company’s waste management contract, and workers should not be expected to make concessions.
