The union representing Vancouver School Board (VSB) support staff says members have voted 96.9 per cent in favour of a strike.

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 963 says negotiations with VSB management have stalled and that a strike may be necessary to negotiate a new collective agreement.

The vote took place over two days this weekend, the union says, and members could serve 72-hour strike notice at any time.

“Our members have rarely gone on strike at Vancouver schools; we are committed to keeping students warm, safe, dry, and fed, but the demands of VSB management are unfair and unnecessary and really angered our members, as seen in the incredibly strong strike vote,” said union manager Tim De Vivo.

“At a time when the entire world is urgently seeking more skilled workers, VSB is trying to de-skill the jobs of some of our members, and that’s not on.”

IUOE Local 963 says it represents 900 of VSB’s employees working as building engineers, custodians, food service workers, supervision aides, and trade-qualified maintenance engineers, among others.

CityNews has reached out to the VSB for comment.