The president of the union representing the water, sewer and other infrastructure workers for the region said no overtime will be allowed
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The union representing outdoor workers for Metro Vancouver has started job action after failing to get a deal following a strike vote back in spring.
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In a statement, Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union president Jesse Medeiros announced Sunday afternoon that its members will withdraw from all acting roles and won’t accept overtime or standby work, effective immediately.
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Official 72-hour strike notice had been issued on Thursday.
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“Our members are critical to water and sewer operations throughout Metro Vancouver and play key roles at infrastructure projects all over the region,” Medeiros said in a news release. “The employer will feel an immediate impact from this first stage of job action.”
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Medeiros said Metro management has failed to address non-wage related issues like worker safety, protections against contracting out and support for recruitment and retention.
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“Our members are angry that Metro Vancouver management has said they will not bargain unless the union accepts the employer’s last position as a precondition to resume talks,” Medeiros said.
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Medeiros also cited that Metro senior managers are responsible for massive cost overruns for the North Shore wastewater treatment plant that will cost taxpayers up to $700 a year per home for 30 years, while increasing their own compensation by 69 per cent over the past five years.
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“Their track record is terrible and forcing our members to take job action is just another sign of that,” Medeiros said.
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The job action does not apply to anyone identified under an existing essential services order.
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“Any non-essential services workers who are acting (in another capacity for Metro) will return immediately to their posted roles and will not perform any overtime or standby until further notice,” Medeiros said. Metro Vancouver has been notified by the union.
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At the same time, the union executive advised members not to initiate any unsanctioned job action.
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A Metro Vancouver spokesperson said at the time of the strike vote that the regional authority is committed to reaching a fair and reasonable collective agreement with the union in the midst of a “very difficult economic climate.
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“Our intent is to ratify an agreement that supports union members and is also affordable for taxpayers of the region,” said spokesperson Jennifer Saltman in March. No disruptions to essential services were expected.
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The GVRDEU represents over 600 members, along with 150 contract workers.
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