Hundreds of Metro Vancouver workers on strike at wastewater plants

UPDATE, Oct. 17, 2023: Striking Metro Vancouver workers suspend pickets, plan to return to mediated talks

Around 670 workers who operate Metro Vancouver's five wastewater treatment plants, monitor air quality and build infrastructure stopped work Monday and are picketing as they seek a new collective agreement from their employer.

"Our members are dedicated to their jobs, and deserve a collective agreement that reflects the service they provide to Metro Vancouver," said the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union (GVRDEU) in a release.

The job action comes two weeks after the GVRDEU issued strike notice to the regional district, Metro Vancouver.

Metro Vancouver is the regional government that provides and co-ordinates services for 21 municipalities, and nearly 2.8 million residents across the Lower Mainland.

As of Monday morning, the union said workers would picket outside of the region's wastewater plants. The workers, defined as "outside employees," perform services that involve water treatment, wastewater collection, infrastructure construction, housing, and air quality monitoring.

The union has been negotiating with Metro Vancouver for higher wages and enhanced benefits since before its last contract expired on Dec. 31, 2021. 

Earlier this month the Metro Vancouver regional district said it has offered an 11.5 per cent wage increase over three years, plus a one-time lump sum of $2,350.

It also said at the time that potential job action would not disrupt essential services.