The District of Squamish has received a strike notice from CUPE Local 2269, the union representing approximately 250 municipal employees.
The notice gives the union the legal right to begin strike action starting Thursday, October 2 at 8:42 a.m., unless a new agreement is reached before that time. Until then, all District operations, services, and programs will continue as usual. In the event of a general strike, all unionized employees across departments would cease all work.
A rotating strike would involve work stoppages in specific departments or locations, while a work-to-rule action would mean employees do only the tasks outlined in their job descriptions, without any additional duties such as overtime. Essential services, including water and sewer treatment and emergency services like fire and police, will not be disrupted.
The previous collective agreement between the District and the union expired on December 31, 2024. Bargaining began in October 2024, but on July 4, 2025, the union declared an impasse and withdrew from negotiations, citing concerns over insufficient wage increases.
The District’s latest offer includes general wage increases of 3.5 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026, aligning with wage settlements reached in larger municipalities such as Coquitlam and Vancouver. This follows a three-year agreement from 2022 to 2024, which provided an 11.5 percent wage increase and a one-time 4.5 percent cost-of-living cash payment in 2024.
The District says it must balance fair compensation with financial responsibility to taxpayers, as employee wages are funded through taxation and utility fees. Officials acknowledged the affordability challenges facing employees and said they believe the current offer addresses both cost-of-living concerns and work-life balance, while remaining fiscally responsible in light of anticipated financial pressures.
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