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 say they have suspended pickets and will return to mediationas they seek a new collective agreement from their employer.

On Monday, the workers began picketing in the early morning but packed up by the afternoon. Both sides said they would return to mediated talks on Wednesday.

The job action cametwo weeks after theGreater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union (GVRDEU)issuedstrike notice to the Metro Vancouver Regional District, which provides and co-ordinates services for 21 municipalitiesthat are home to nearly 2.8 million residentsacross the Lower Mainland.

The workers, defined as "outside employees,"perform services that involvewater treatment, wastewater collection, infrastructure construction, housingand air quality monitoring.

The unionhas been negotiating with Metro Vancouver for higher wages and enhancedbenefitssince before itslast contract expired on Dec. 31, 2021.

"GVRDEU members took job action to send a message to Metro Vancouver and its board membersthat nearly two years without a contract is unacceptable," said the union in a release on Monday.

"We want to express our gratitude to our brothers and sisters from the Teamsters 31membership and all other unionized workers who acknowledged and honoured our picket lines."

'Fair and reasonable'

In a statement, Sandra Jansen, a general manager with Metro Vancouver, said the escalation of job action by the union was"unfortunate."

The statement said that there was no disruption to essential services.

The regional district hasoffered an 11.5 per cent wage increase over three years, plus a one-time lump sum.

"Our wage offer ... and a one-time lump sum of 4.5 per centbased on 2022 wages, plus other improvements to allowances and benefits, is fair and reasonable and it is aligned with other negotiated settlements in the region," Jansen said.