City employees with the District of Metchosin went on strike June 21 in an attempt to get a first collective agreement with the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association.
Key issues in the dispute are pay equity, benefits, vacations and the scope of the bargaining unit.
The Metchosin workers provide building and fire safety inspection, planning and technical engineering work, business licensing and other finance and administration services.
“Our members provide quality services for the people of Metchosin,” said Justin Schmid, president of CUPE Local 374. “They deserve a fair agreement.”
The workers have been trying to reach an agreement since February 2002 but after their request for pay equity wage adjustments were tossed aside, they voted 100 per cent to strike.