A union representing hundreds of Metro Vancouver employees has announced an indefinite overtime ban as part of a dispute with the regional district.
Jesse Medeiros, with the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union, says in a statement the overtime ban will have the most impact on water and sewer operations and maintenance and construction teams.
The statement says union members will also refuse standby work and not accept assignments outside of their defined job descriptions.
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In March, union members voted almost 98 per cent in favour of authorizing job action, and last week issued a 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Relations Board.
The union says Metro Vancouver has not addressed issues such as safety, contracting out and recruitment measures, and warns there’s a possibility of escalating job action in the hours ahead.
The district says it has offered more than 10 per cent in general wage increases over three years, and a one-time increase of $0.25 on hourly pay rates next April.
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The last deal expired in December 2024 for the union’s 600 members and 150 contract workers, who are involved in operations such as water, sewer and infrastructure services across Metro Vancouver.
The district said in a statement Friday that job action by the union would not affect essential services such as drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, air quality monitoring, wildfire suppression, and housing.
The question is; why is there so much overtime? Is it “gimmicking”. Union people know what that means; playing the game so one day you get overtime and double pay, then you call in sick, so your buddy makes double time.
Why work for straight time, when you can double.
How do the tax payers feel about this.
How about a report on just how much overtime costs the taxpayers.
Would it maybe be better to hire more people who actually want to work, and show up to work.
I have worked both union and non. Union workers want overtime, until it is a sunny day, and then even double pay doesn’t entice them. And casuals are expected to fill in. Many of those casual workers have to hold two jobs, as they can’g get full time work to pay their bills.
So I’m this union overtime world, ask yourselves, would you work for 30.00 an hour, or want the overtime for time and a half, or double pay. Do the math, and know that an audit needs to be done regarding this. As their is only one taxpayer.
the union baby need more money seahawk and canuck season tics are costly and son sport is expensive need to look special with friends
Let them go shortage of work and hire some one that wants to work and make money .
Metro Vancouver has found a way to reduce costs and its not from the over paid board but on the backs of their workers!