BCGEU calls for action from Metro Vancouver following sewage spills

Burnaby, B.C. – The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is calling on the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors to take immediate action to resolve the ongoing labour dispute with the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU), following our region’s second untreated sewage spill over the last few weeks. 

On July 26, hundreds of thousands of litres of untreated sewage spilled into Burrard Inlet over the course of three days without public warning. An earlier spill occurred when untreated sewage from the Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant discharged directly into the Strait of Georgia on July 2. These spills raise serious concerns about public safety, worker safety, and Metro Vancouver’s wastewater operations. 

The GVRDEU, which represents more than 700 workers covering operations in wastewater treatment and other critical services, has been on strike since June. According to the GVRDEU, the ongoing job action has disrupted normal work routines, and members who work in wastewater operations have expressed concerns about the safety of both workers and the public. 

“These sewage spills raise serious concerns that the ongoing labour dispute may be impacting wastewater operations,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU President. “We are calling on Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors to get back to the bargaining table immediately and negotiate a fair contract with GVRDEU to ensure critical public services are operated safely and effectively. ” 

The BCGEU is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia, representing over 100,000 members in 470 bargaining units in the public and private sector.

Media contact:
BCGEU Communications [email protected]

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