Metro Vancouver outside workers set to begin indefinite strike as contract talks stall

Metro Vancouver's outside workers say they will begin a full-scale indefinite strike on Tuesday if a tentative agreement is not reached in their ongoing labour dispute with the regional district.

The B.C. Labour Relations Board according to The Canadian Press, has been mediating negotiations, but the union says no significant progress was made after two days of talks over the weekend.

According to the union, while proposals were exchanged during mediation, the employer's latest offer did not include the meaningful changes needed to resolve key outstanding issues or secure a fair collective agreement.

The bargaining committee says it remains actively engaged with the mediator and is continuing efforts to persuade the employer to address the priorities members have consistently identified throughout negotiations. The union says it remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement that includes improvements reflecting the needs of its members.

The workers have been without a new collective agreement for 18 months. The union also says several Metro Vancouver water treatment facilities will be added to the list of worksites already affected by job action if the strike proceeds.