Workers at Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant, represented by the Unifor union, have commenced a strike against their employer due to contract concessions demanded by Veolia. Unifor’s Local 433 made the decision to strike after rejecting a proposed deal in July, which Veolia claims was developed in good faith over more than a year with the assistance of a mediator. Veolia contends that the union has not presented an alternative proposal.
Approximately 40 steam engineers and skilled trades workers are picketing the Burnaby facility in British Columbia, operated by Veolia, as confirmed by the union. The waste-to-energy plant processes a quarter of the region’s solid waste, generating electricity for 16,000 households, according to the company’s website.
Negotiations on contract concessions between the union and Veolia broke down recently, leading to the strike action. Unifor’s Gavin McGarrigle, the western regional director, expressed that workers are unwilling to make concessions on their contract, citing Veolia’s relatively fixed costs for the next four years under the municipal waste contract.
Veolia expressed disappointment over the strike and emphasized its willingness to resume negotiations promptly to achieve a fair agreement.