The experience at over 20 Metro Vancouver regional parks will be slightly different this weekend due to job action, which will impact garbage collection and other services.
However, that doesn’t actually seem to be the case. You can scroll down to see the update.
Original story:
According to a news release from the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU), job action will take place starting on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
Unionized workers will walk off the job, which will stop the collection of garbage, trail repairs, and immediate first aid for injuries “as visitors expect.”
“This escalated job action follows the removal earlier today of electricians, maintenance mechanics and their respective trades forepersons, who perform critical infrastructure repairs on numerous Metro Vancouver drinking water sites, including the Cleveland and Seymour Falls Dams,” GVRDEU says.
Metro Vancouver parks that’ll be impacted include Grouse Mountain, Capilano River, Deas Island, Surrey Bend and Iona Beach.
“This will unfortunately impact the public significantly and we regret having to take job action yet again, but Metro Vancouver management have refused to return to bargaining with a new offer and the elected mayors and councillors on the Board don’t seem to care,” GVRDEU President Jesse Medeiros said.
“We do not want to be on strike, but we are left with no choice to get a fair collective agreement,” Medeiros added.
“Metro Vancouver management are responsible for this avoidable impasse in talks, just as they are responsible for the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant costs skyrocketing from $700 million to $3.86 billion; for pay, compensation and management staffing jumping by 69% between 2019 and 2024; and for WorkSafeBC fining Metro Vancouver over $800,000 for serious violations of multiple safety regulations and subsequent injuries caused” Medeiros said
Medeiros said that a BC Labour Relations Board mediator is available for dates in August to facilitate discussions, but that none are currently scheduled.
Daily Hive Urbanized has reached out to the Metro Vancouver Regional District for comment. We’ll update this story when we hear back.
Update:
In response to the story, MVRD informed Daily Hive Urbanized that under the essential services agreement, garbage collection in regional parks will, in fact, continue.
Other essential services that will continue include “drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, air quality monitoring, regional parks access, and housing.”
“Metro Vancouver respects the right to lawful job action and remains focused on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement with the GVRDE,” the district said in a statement to Daily Hive.
“All Metro Vancouver regional parks are open to the public during union strike action. Parks are staffed to essential service levels, which means safety and maintenance standards will be maintained, with facility reservations honoured and programs and events proceeding as planned,” it said.
MVRD’s offer includes wage increases of over 10 per cent over three years, which it says is consistent with other recently negotiated agreements in the region.
“Mediated bargaining concluded on July 22 with Metro Vancouver putting forward an offer for the GVRDEU. Metro Vancouver is not asking for any concessions and remains committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table. We have made ourselves available for additional mediated bargaining dates to work toward a negotiated settlement.”