As of 4 p.m., Saturday, the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employee Union (GVRDEU) is escalating their strike action.

All unionized outside workers will walk off their jobs at Metro Vancouver’s 25 regional parks, the union said in a written statement.

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They will also be limiting their hours of work to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The union says that 40 regional park workers are scheduled to work after 4 p.m. but will not be showing up to those shifts today.

Only one essential service designated worker will be available for all 25 parks after 4:30 p.m.

“There will not be any picket lines at these 25 popular parks, but we are advising the public that our members will not be providing regular services after 4:30 p.m., such as fixing trails, garbage collection, immediate first aid and other work,” said GVRDEU President Jesse Medeiros.

 “After 18 months without a contract, our members are fed up with Metro Vancouver refusing to drop pre-conditions for bargaining and even demanding concessions.”

This escalation in strike action comes one week before a scheduled mediation session with the Labour Relations Board commencing on Saturday, July 11.

Medeiros said the union appreciates public support for a new contract and that it is trying to minimize inconvenience while taking job action. 

“We are doing everything we can to force Metro Vancouver back to the bargaining table with a reasonable offer, but that hasn’t happened yet despite our job action, so things may have to escalate further,” he said.

The parks included in the job action include Grouse Mountain and Capilano Regional Parks in North Vancouver, Pacific Spirit Park in Vancouver, Deas Island Regional Park in Delta, the Derby Reach Regional Park in Langley Township, Belcarra Regional Park, Boundary Bay Regional Park in Delta, Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley Township and Tynehead Regional Park in Surrey.