Union representative Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor area director for B.C., speaks to the media on behalf of striking container-truck drivers at an entrance to Port Metro Vancouver in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday March 10, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

Pickets go up at waste-energy plant in Burnaby, B.C.

Aug 25, 2026 | 8:46 AM

BURNABY — The union representing workers at Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant says members have launched strike action against its employer.

Unifor says in a statement that its Local 433 chose to initiate the strike after what it describes as employer Veolia’s demand for contract concessions from workers.

Veolia says it “negotiated in good faith” with the union for more than a year, and workers rejected a proposed deal in July that was developed with a mediator’s involvement.

Veolia also says in an email that the union has not put forward an alternative proposal.

The union says about 40 steam engineers and other skilled trades workers have begun picketing the facility in Burnaby, B.C., that is operated and maintained by Veolia.

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The company’s website says the facility processes about 25 per cent of the region’s solid waste, producing enough electricity to power 16,000 homes.

The union says talks on contract concessions broke down last month.

Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle says in a statement that Veolia’s costs are “largely fixed” over the next four years due to the company holding the municipal waste contract, and workers do not believe they should be conceding on their contract.

Veolia, meanwhile, says it is disappointed with the strike action and “stands ready to resume negotiations at any time to reach a fair agreement.”

Pickets go up at waste-energy plant in Burnaby, B.C.

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