The union representing outside workers at the Metro Vancouver Regional District says it’s pulling workers off the job this weekend, impacting services in 25 regional parks.
Around 750 workers with the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union (GVRDEU) — who work to maintain regional services like wastewater management, air quality monitoring and regional parks — have been without a contract for 19 months.
The union had a one-day strike earlier this summer in a bid to draw attention to the contract dispute with Metro Vancouver, the regional government comprising 21 municipalities.
Now, the GVRDEU says job action is escalating again after a series of rotating strikes and overtime bans failed to draw the employers’ attention to the issue.
Metro Vancouver outside workers are seen picketing at the Grouse Grind trailhead earlier this summer, on June 8. Workers with the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union have been without a contract since December 2024. (Simon Little/CBC)
Union spokesperson Bill Tieleman said on Friday that workers would not collect garbage or provide trail maintenance, which could affect access for paramedics in case a park user needs first aid.
But a Metro Vancouver spokesperson said the union’s information was incorrect, and that garbage collection and essential services including park patrol, bylaw enforcement and ensuring safe access to the regional parks would continue as normal.
However, Tieleman questioned whether a small group of essential workers would be able to provide the same level of service as the 100 workers who have walked off the job.
A cyclist is seen in Pacific Spirit Park in March 2020. The popular park is among those managed by the Metro Vancouver Regional District. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)
Tieleman said around 100 unionized park workers will be pulled off the job, and there would only be 15 workers to operate 25 regional parks, as part of essential services agreements with Metro Vancouver.
“There’ll be very few workers. There are very few managers, I would expect … on the weekend,” he said.
“So unfortunately, we don’t want to impact the public, but we’re really left with no alternatives anymore.”
Belcarra Regional Park is also under the jurisdiction of Metro Vancouver. (Yvette Brend/CBC)
Tieleman said he is advising hikers and park visitors to consider going to a park that isn’t under the jurisdiction of Metro Vancouver this weekend.
The regional district manages some of the area’s most popular parks and trails — such as Pacific Spirit Park near the University of B.C., Grouse Mountain Regional Park in North Vancouver and Belcarra Regional Park.
No talks scheduled: union
Tieleman said a mediator appointed by the B.C. Labour Relations Board remains tasked with helping both sides hammer out a new deal — but no further negotiating dates were scheduled.
He said the union has three key concerns that weren’t being addressed by management — workplace safety, lack of retention of workers and the contracting out of work.
In a statement, Metro Vancouver said any programs and reservations at its regional parks would go ahead as usual this weekend.
“Metro Vancouver is not asking for any concessions and remains committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table,” the statement said.
“We have made ourselves available for additional mediated bargaining dates to work toward a negotiated settlement.”
The offices of the Metro Vancouver Regional District are seen in Burnaby’s Metrotown area on May 9, 2026. (Akshay Kulkarni/CBC)