Unionized workers with the Capital Regional District have voted in favour of job action.
Bargaining between the union and the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association, representing the CRD, began in March and stalled last month, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The parties are scheduled for two days of mediation early next month.
On Tuesday, 407 members of CUPE Local 1978 voted 98 per cent in favour of a strike, union president Tom Benjamin said Wednesday.
A total of 1,000 union members work for the regional district in a wide range of jobs, including at recreation centres, in regional parks, in recycling and garbage disposal at Hartland landfill, in planning, bylaw enforcement, building inspection and internal administrative work.
Their contract was set to expire at the end of 2020 but an agreement was reached to roll it over for one more year.
There were 11 meetings with “very little progress,” Benjamin said.
The union is seeking a wage increase to address inflation, benefit increases to support worker health and scheduling changes to allow members to fulfill family commitments.
Before mediation starts on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, essential services have to be established. Previously, workers in drinking-water and waste-water services were designated as essential.
Strike notice would not be served prior to mediation, Benjamin said.
Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch, chair of the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association, said some agreement has been reached to clarify terms and conditions of the collective agreement and the association is committed to reaching a fair settlement.
The labour relations association will work toward settling outstanding issues through negotiation and mediation, Murdoch said.
