SQUAMISH — “This 100 percent strike vote demonstrates that our members are deeply concerned about the lack of progress at the bargaining table and the unwillingness of the District of Squamish to address important issues affecting its frontline workers,” says CUPE 2269 President Celeste Bickford.
“We’ve continued to see significant increases to the cost of living in our region with people leaving the community because they simply cannot afford to live here anymore,” said Bickford.
Bargaining started last fall, and the two parties have met eleven times since negotiations began in October of 2024. The two parties reached impasse earlier this month. Key outstanding issues include wage increases in line with other recent regional settlements, and scheduling that allows a better work life balance for workers and their families.
“With a public spotlight on negotiations, we’re hoping that District representatives will be more willing to work towards a fair and reasonable contract that protects public services and supports the workers who provide them,” said Bickford. “Our members love serving this community and want to go back to focusing on that work.”
Before taking any strike action, essential service levels would need to be negotiated, and the union would have to serve 72-hour strike notice.
CUPE 2269 members represent approximately 250 workers who provide integral community services to residents, businesses, and visitors in Squamish including water and wastewater treatment, swimming lessons, children’s programs and camps, recreation services, facilities maintenance, parks and trails maintenance, bylaw and animal control, snow removal, emergency program administration, and administrative and operations support for the RCMP.
