Metro Vancouver outside workers, members of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union (GVRDEU), have agreed to mediation following a full-scale strike on Monday. Limited job action will continue in the meantime.
Mediation Accepted
The union issued a statement late Monday stating it would work with a Labour Relations Board mediator and that negotiations would proceed without any preconditions. Union president Jesse Medeiros described this as a welcome first step after 17 months without a new collective agreement.
“This is a welcome first step, but not a conclusion, to 17 months without a new collective agreement and after escalating job action up to a full-scale strike on Monday,” said Medeiros.
Key Issues
The union is calling for better health and safety measures, an end to contracting out, and improved recruitment and retention. Medeiros emphasized that the dispute is far from over and that the union reserves the right to resume job action if a fair contract is not negotiated.
Medeiros credited the labour board for reaching out to both parties and said the key to restarting talks was Metro Vancouver agreeing to drop its demand that the union accept preconditions containing already rejected contract proposals.
Public Support
Medeiros thanked the public for their support during nearly a month of job action, stating, “Our members greatly appreciate the public backing we have received and want to reassure them that we have done and will do everything possible to avoid inconveniencing Metro Vancouver residents.”
Dates for mediation have not yet been determined. The union will continue its ban on overtime and standby work, along with other limited job action, until further notice. The union represents over 700 workers providing water, air, sewer, and infrastructure services at regional parks, ecological reserves, and housing communities.
