Unifor workers strike at Burnaby waste-to-energy plant

About 40 steam engineers and other skilled trades workers have begun strike action at Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant in Burnaby, according to Unifor.

The union says Local 433 members began picketing after contract talks with employer Veolia broke down last month. Unifor says the dispute centres on concessions it says Veolia is seeking from workers.

Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle said the company’s costs are largely fixed over the next four years under its municipal-waste contract, and workers do not believe they should be making concessions.

Veolia operates and maintains the facility. The company says the plant processes about 25 per cent of the region’s solid waste and generates enough electricity to power 16,000 homes.