Media Release

Update: Metro Vancouver Statement on GVRDEU Strike

<div class="ExternalClassD81AB6A5546E4D69A679C8CEA14E9A9A">Metro Vancouver respects the right to lawful job action and remains focused on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement with the GVRDEU.Mediated bargaining is scheduled to resume this weekend, and Metro Vancouver remains committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table. Our offer includes wage increases of more than 10 per cent over three years, which is consistent with other recently negotiated agreements in the region, including with our Teamsters union, and exceeds agreements reached by several other public sector employers. Metro Vancouver is aware of picketing activity and continues to assess any impacts and minimize disruptions where possible. Metro Vancouver has contingency plans in place in the case of any job action and remains focused on maintaining essential services and reaching a negotiated settlement. Essential services are continuing without disruption under our essential services agreement with the GVRDEU. This includes critical services such as drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, air quality monitoring, regional parks access, and housing. In Response to Statements from the Union:On Workplace Safety: Metro Vancouver has one of the strongest workplace health and safety records in British Columbia, consistently ranking among the top three of 71 peer organizations as assessed by WorkSafeBC. Safety is not viewed as a bargaining trade-off. Worker protections and safety standards are established and enforced under provincial law and cannot be diminished by the absence of specific collective agreement language. Safety obligations apply at all times, and Metro Vancouver is directly accountable to WorkSafeBC, the province's independent safety regulator. On Contracting Work: Metro Vancouver is actively reducing reliance on external consultants and contractors, and where it makes sense, bringing work in-house and creating more union jobs, consistent with the request from the union. On Recruitment: Like many organizations, recruitment for many roles was challenging during the pandemic and immediately following. Metro Vancouver is not currently experiencing challenges recruiting for vacancies.On 18 Months Without a Contract:The beginning of bargaining was delayed by 6 months at the request of the Union. Metro Vancouver began requesting use of a mediator as of January this year. On Management Costs: Wage increases for exempt staff have been the same as union increases. More than 60 per cent of exempt staff (which union refer to as management) are professional engineers. Fewer than 20 per cent of exempt staff are in management roles. Increases to exempt wages are due to Metro Vancouver expanding its in-house engineering capacity since 2019 to deliver major infrastructure needed to maintain critical systems, support regional growth, and meet regulatory requirements. On Water Quality: Drinking water quality will not be impacted by GVRDEU strike action. </div>

7/9/2026 7:00:00 AM

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