The labor union representing outside workers in Metro Vancouver has reached an agreement with the regional district to enter binding arbitration amid an ongoing contract dispute. The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union has announced that both parties have signed an agreement outlining the terms of reference for the arbitration process. They are now tasked with selecting an arbitrator to facilitate the resolution.
Metro Vancouver has confirmed this development and expressed its commitment to collaborating with the union to promptly appoint an arbitrator and address the dispute. Unionized outside workers have been conducting job actions for several months, including setting up picket lines at various locations such as regional parks, water treatment facilities, and the Metro Vancouver headquarters, following nearly 20 months without a contract.
According to the union’s statement, the outstanding issues to be addressed through binding arbitration pertain to enhancements in health and safety protocols, the outsourcing of unionized work, and the recruitment and retention of skilled labor. President Jesse Medeiros has stated that certain job actions, including an overtime ban, will persist until an arbitrator is designated to oversee the case.