A strike by unionized Metro Vancouver outside workers may impact the dredging of Burrard Inlet to allow for larger vessels. The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union has confirmed that its members are on strike, with picket lines set up at two water main projects in Vancouver and North Vancouver. Completion of these projects is crucial before dredging can proceed under the Second Narrows Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in September, enabling oil tankers with increased capacity to navigate the waterway, a plan endorsed by the federal government.
The union and the regional district have been in contract negotiations for 19 months without resolution, leading to various job actions, including picketing and strikes in non-essential roles. Union president Jesse Medeiros emphasized the group’s willingness to support major projects but cited the inability to reach a satisfactory agreement with Metro Vancouver. He stated, “Until we finalize a new contract through negotiations, our union will intensify job actions, potentially halting projects like the Burrard Inlet dredging.”
Both Metro Vancouver and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have yet to provide comments following requests for input on the situation.