Outside workers union GVRDEU reaches agreement with Metro Vancouver to terms of reference for both sides submitting remaining outstanding contract issues to binding interest arbitration; dispute continues until both parties agree on arbitrator

METRO VANCOUVER – The union for Metro Vancouver’s outside workers and their employer, Metro Vancouver, have reached and signed an agreement on terms of reference to send remaining outstanding contract issues to binding interest arbitration.

Jesse Medeiros, president of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union, says the GVRDEU will continue with its job action until both sides agree on an arbitrator and that arbitrator accepts the assignment.

“Our union formally requested binding arbitration with Metro Vancouver to resolve this strike on July 29 and Metro Vancouver management rejected that offer, leading to over three more weeks of job action, which is very disappointing to our members, but we now have agreement on terms of reference,” Medeiros said. “The union will continue its ban on overtime work, performing standby after-hours and/or acting role work that started in May, until both sides agree to an arbitrator and they accept the role to resolve the dispute.”

“We have gone nearly 20 months without a new contract – our members look forward to serving the public without this dispute hanging over their heads,” Medeiros said. “Our union wants to thank the public for their strong support for our members and thank the BC Labour Relations Board and appointed mediator Dave Schaub, for their work to try and bring both parties together over the past few months.”

Outstanding issues include improvements to health and safety, ending contracting out of union members’ work and better recruitment and retention of skilled workers, Medeiros says.

Over 750 GVRDEU members operate and maintain regional services, such as protecting water, air, and natural resources, providing drinking water, sewer, and infrastructure services and stewarding parks, ecological reserves, and housing communities. 

For More Information: Bill Tieleman, GVRDEU spokesperson, at cell: 778-896-0964; email: [email protected]  Website: https://gvrdeu.org