Who is the GVRD Employees Union?
The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees Union (GVRDEU) is a collective bargaining membership consisting of employees who work for the Metro Vancouver Regional District (formerly known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District).
We have been united since 1946 and represent over 600 members and 150 contract workers across the region. Our certified and highly skilled membership operates and maintains vital regional services, such as protecting our water, air, and natural resources, providing drinking water, sewer, and infrastructure services to our local communities, and stewarding our parks, ecological reserves, and housing communities.
All our executives, stewards, and representatives come from the membership. We understand and work in the same conditions as our members. All terms and conditions from the collective agreement we negotiate and endorse apply to each of us. We stand united with our members during job actions and celebrate together in times of success.
We encourage active participation in Union affairs. Explore the services offered by the Union and find ways you can contribute. We are all part of this Union, and together, we are stronger!
What do we do for our members?
The GVRD Employees’ Union offers a variety of programs and services to support its members, including but not limited to:
- Resolving disputes between the Employer and our members.
- Providing guidance and support on workplace issues.
- Assisting members during challenging times and celebrating their successes.
- Engaging in collective bargaining to secure:
- Job security and stable employment.
- Fair compensation for our members’ skills and time.
- Improved living standards and benefits.
- Fostering friendships and connections among members through social events.
- Promoting workplace safety and responsibility.
- Offering education and resources to our stewards on Labour Relations and Labour Law to better serve our members.
If you need assistance or information about any of these programs or services, or if you’re interested in contributing to the Union’s efforts, don’t hesitate to contact your Union representative
Our Executives
Jesse Medeiros was elected President of the GVRDEU on June 7th 2024, following three and one-half terms as Treasurer and four terms as a Bargaining Committee Member.
He became a member of the GVRDEU when hired by Metro Vancouver back in 2001. Prior to this, Jesse has been fortunate and privileged to work in his entire professional career as a unionized worker. He understands that belonging to a Union makes it possible for all workers to provide for their families and have the benefits required to be able to function through the everchanging economic challenges we face in the world today.
Jesse is a committed, passionate and knowledgeable union member who recognizes his role in defending workers’ rights and standing along with the labour movement in ensuring a fair, safe and inclusive work environment. “An attack on one worker, is an attack on all workers”.
For over a decade, I have served as the Housing Dispatcher for Metro Vancouver Housing, overseeing the procurement of goods and services to meet the needs of more than 10,000 tenants.
Alongside my professional responsibilities, I have been a dedicated member of the GVRDEU. In 2024, I was elected Union Secretary, following a term as Union Warden and three terms as an elected bargaining committee member. During this time, I also managed union assets, ensuring effective resource stewardship.
I am deeply committed to fostering collaboration with fellow members, striving toward shared goals, and passionately advocating for their rights and interests.
Hi, I’m Liz, Treasurer for GVRDEU.
I’ve worked with MV since 2009 in Water Services, Water Treatment with the CWTP/RCL group.
I started getting more involved with the Union around 2016 by becoming a Shop Steward, and have also been elected to positions of Trustee, and Bargaining Committee member before being nominated and elected to Vice President. I have also put together the calendar and run the ski trip for several years.
My desire is to uphold the Collective Agreement, foster positive atmosphere and relationships within the Union, and to be able to work for positive outcomes with the Employer.
Ben Palmeri is proud to serve as the 1st Vice President of GVRDEU, bringing his passion for advocacy, leadership, and community to everything he does. In this role, Ben is dedicated to making sure members’ voices are heard loud and clear at every level.
With over four terms as an elected bargaining committee member, Ben has poured his energy into standing up for fair negotiations and strengthening the bonds within the union.
Known for his approachable nature and commitment to equity and inclusion, Ben is always working to support the union’s mission and build a stronger, more connected community for everyone.
Bruce is a 32 year employee of Metro Vancouver. He started in Regional Parks where he worked briefly as an engineering assistant within the Capital Works group. He subsequently made the jump to the Survey & Inspection group within Water Services, and has worked exclusively in the field for the past 31 years on many capital works projects (both big and small). In this time, working primarily with contractors, he has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of all things ‘safety’.
Bruce’s approach to the OH&S role (which he had held since June of 2021) is to hold the Employer accountable to the Workers Compensation Act, the WorkSafe BC Regulations, as well as MV’s own internal policies. Bruce also sees the importance of working to improve the functioning of the various JHSCs at MV by identifying to the various worker groups that (if run properly) there is real power within the JHSC to improve workplace safety. This power lies in the fact that the JHSCs are mandated, and their operation prescribed by, Provincial Law and not by the Employer.
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