The District of Squamish will lock out unionized employees at several municipal facilities beginning Thursday, October 16, as a labour dispute with CUPE Local 2269 enters its third week, the district said in a press release.
The District announced the lockout after 13 days of escalating job action and said the move is intended to pressure the union to return to the bargaining table. According to the District, the union has not responded to the latest contract proposal delivered on October 4.
The lockout will affect unionized staff at Public Works, Municipal Hall, the Annex, and Cleveland Avenue auxiliary offices, except those designated as delivering essential services. Recreation facilities, RCMP, Bylaw, Emergency Management, and Facilities Operations and Maintenance will not be affected.
“This is an extremely unfortunate situation, and we have not made this decision lightly given the profound impacts to unionized employees and the community,” said District Chief Administrative Officer Linda Glenday in the release. “A lockout is the parallel employer’s tool to the Union’s strike action through which we can pressure the Union to return to the bargaining table.”
The District said job action has led to disruptions, including postponed community events and delayed 2026 budget workshops. With only 68 non-unionized staff available to cover duties, the District said it is struggling to maintain municipal services amid an overtime ban at Public Works.
Mayor Armand Hurford said the situation has become unsustainable. “At the point at which the Union is refusing to bargain, decisive steps need to be taken,” he said.
The District’s latest offer includes raising the lowest-paid unionized wage to $27.50 per hour, a 3.26% wage increase in 2025, and 2.99% in 2026. The proposal also shortens the time required to earn four weeks of vacation and introduces options for compressed work weeks where operational and service levels allow.
“We urge the Union back to the table to work towards a deal,” Hurford added. “We all benefit when a fair deal is reached.”
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