Strike notice by Metro Vancouver staff, district says essential services unaffected

VANCOUVER — A union representing hundreds of Metro Vancouver employees says it has issued a 72-hour strike notice in their dispute with the regional district, which says essential services won’t be disrupted.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees Union says in a statement that the notice was filed with the BC Labour Relations Board for possible strike action as early as Sunday at 3:36 p.m.

The union membership voted almost 98 per cent in favour of authorizing job action in March.

The union says Metro Vancouver has not addressed issues such as safety, contracting out and recruitment measures, while the district says it has offered more than 10 per cent in general wage increases over three years, and a one-time increase of $0.25 on hourly pay rates next April.

Union president Jesse Medeiros says in a statement on Friday that talks were last held on April 13, with no further sessions scheduled.

The last deal expired in December 2024 for the union’s 600 members and 150 contract workers, who are involved in operations such as water, sewer and infrastructure services across Metro Vancouver.

The district’s statement, issued later Friday, says its committed to reaching a fair and reasonable collective agreement.

“Regardless of job action, there will be no disruption to essential services like drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, air quality monitoring, wildfire suppression, and housing,” Metro Vancouver’s statement says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press