A group of Metro Vancouver employees who normally maintain the Grouse Grind spent Monday morning picketing near the entrance to the iconic trail. “We don’t want to put the public out any more than we want to put our workers out,” said Chad Esplen, a member of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union bargaining committee. “So, we’re hoping not to inconvenience them but we’re hoping that they hear us and support us.” Pickets also went up at Deas Island Regional Park in Delta, Langley’s Derby Reach Regional Park and the Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant in West Vancouver. The employees have been without a contract since December of 2024. Esplen told CTV News Metro Vancouver won’t return to the bargaining table unless the unionized employees accept certain conditions, but the employer disputes that claim. “The Metro Vancouver bargaining team is ready to return at any time. We requested a mediator at this point to make sure that we can continue to make progress. We really value these employees who are an essential part of the region,” said Amanda McCuaig, the regional district’s director of communications. The union says if the dispute continues, it does have options for escalating its job action— but it says it will only do so in a way that protects essential services and does not put public health and safety at risk. McCuaig told CTV News Metro Vancouver is offering employees a more than 10 percent increase over the next three years. But the union says its major issues relate to work being contracted out and worker safety. “Metro (Vancouver) has skipped on safety on a number of things within the organization,” Esplen said. “We’d like that reviewed and taken a look at.” The employer disagrees with that assertion as well. “Safety is incredibly important to us. Of our 71 peer organizations, as categorized by WorkSafe BC, we are in the top three for workplace safety. It’s a non-negotiable for us,” McCuaig said. The union said it will not stop hikers from using trails or otherwise accessing the parks where members are picketing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2026.
