Vancouver School Board support staff vote 96.9% in favour of strike

The union representing Vancouver School Board support staff has announced that its members have voted 96.9 per cent in favour of a strike.

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 963 stated that negotiations with VSB management have stalled and that a strike may become necessary to secure a new collective agreement. According to the union, the vote took place over the weekend, and members could issue a 72-hour strike notice at any time.

"Our members have rarely gone on strike at Vancouver schools; we are committed to keeping students warm, safe, dry, and fed, but the demands of VSB management are unfair and unnecessary and really angered our members, as seen in the incredibly strong strike vote," said union manager Tim De Vivo.

"At a time when the entire world is urgently seeking more skilled workers, VSB is trying to de-skill the jobs of some of our members, and that’s not on," he added.

IUOE Local 963 represents 900 VSB employees, including building engineers, custodians, food service workers, supervision aides, and trade-qualified maintenance engineers.