Strike hits Metro Vancouver wastewater treatment plants as labour dispute intensifies

The Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant is seen from above in this photo from Metro Vancouver's website. (metrovancouver.org)

Some Metro Vancouver workers have walked off the job as the union begins escalating strike action in a labour dispute with the regional district.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union says in a release that its members have temporarily withdrawn from five wastewater treatment plants and other facilities as of Monday morning.

Union president Jesse Medeiros says the strike action is aimed at forcing Metro Vancouver to return to the negotiating table “without preconditions.”

The facilities affected include the wastewater treatment plants at Iona, Annacis and Lulu islands as well as Lions Gate and northwest Langley, and a number of other sites also on Annacis Island.

The escalation comes after the union implemented bans on overtime, standby and acting-role work on Sunday, and it says further action will be taken if no progress is made in negotiations.

The last contract, which involved 600 members and 150 contract workers, expired in December 2024.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2026.