People walk and jog on the False Creek seawall in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

Full-scale strike called off, but no agreement for talks with Metro Vancouver: union

Jun 15, 2026 | 9:06 AM

VANCOUVER — The union representing Metro Vancouver outside workers says it has not agreed to resume talks with the employer, despite a statement from the regional district earlier Monday saying the workers had agreed to mediation.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union issued its own statement saying there are no confirmed dates to return to bargaining without the removal of what it describes as “preconditions” from the employer, and spokesperson Bill Tieleman says that includes talks with a mediator.

Tieleman says there is no accord to return to talks with or without a mediator, though he described the situation as “dynamic.”

Still, he says the union had opted to end its full-scale strike action after one day.

Union president Jesse Medeiros says in the statement that the strike achieved its goal of drawing attention to the labour dispute and he hoped Metro Vancouver would return to the bargaining table without preconditions.

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The update follows a statement from Metro Vancouver saying it had “learned” Monday that the union had agreed to mediation with the Labour Relations Board.

It said mediation was a practical step to help both parties make meaningful progress in reaching an agreement.

After weeks of rotating job action, the unionized workers had walked off the job on Monday with the exception of those designated as essential-service staff.

While the full-scale strike has ended, the union says its members at 30 regional parks and greenways will continue to work restricted hours.

The union represents more than 700 workers covering operations in water and wastewater treatment, air quality tracking, natural resources, parks, infrastructure and ecological reserves across Metro Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

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Full-scale strike called off, but no agreement for talks with Metro Vancouver: union

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