Rotating job action in RDFFG

Meanwhile, the job action is already creating ripple effects in Prince George. City crews began garbage collection in the blue zone Monday morning, but with landfill operations disrupted those collections are now being paused.

The City of Prince George provided this statement:

City of Prince George solid waste crews began collecting garbage in the blue zone this morning, in the hope that a decision from the Labour Relations Board (LRB) would allow regular landfill operations to continue following the commencement of strike action by Regional District of Fraser-Fort George unionized staff.

The City’s application to the LRB for a common site picketing order hearing concluded yesterday (Sunday, October 19). However, no update or decision on the application has yet been provided by the LRB.

The Regional District currently does not have contractors on site to cap any garbage deposited at the landfill. As a result, it is unlikely that City crews will be able to continue collection and disposal today. Solid waste trucks are expected to be full based on what staff were able to collect this morning and may be able to unload first thing tomorrow morning.

Due to this, the remainder of the blue zone will not be collected this week. Pending the outcome from the LRB, City staff plan to proceed with collection in the yellow zone tomorrow.

Residents in the blue zone are asked to return their carts away from the curb.

During this strike action, service hours at the landfill are Tuesday to Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm. This change will impact the garbage zone collection schedule.

As soon as more information is available and plans are confirmed, the City will provide an update to residents. This situation is evolving rapidly, and the City appreciates the community’s understanding and patience.

Regional District of Fraser Fort George provided this statement regarding the labour dispute:

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is disappointed that CUPE 1699, representing Regional District employees, is now engaging in rotating job action. CUPE is currently providing the Regional District with five minutes notice of their rotating job action on a daily basis. This negatively impacts residents as the Regional District cannot prepare for changes in service levels and advise residents of changes in advance.

Since the collective agreement expired on December 31, 2024, the Regional District has faithfully engaged in the bargaining process to find a resolution that is financially responsible to taxpayers and provides a fair deal to our employees.

When the Regional District receives new information on job action, residents can find updated service impacts at rdffg.ca/JobAction

During the strike, landfill hours have been reduced to Tuesday through Saturday, from nine to five.

CKPG News will continue to update as the information becomes available.

Earlier: Garbage collection for residents in blue zone have concluded Monday.

Garbage collection started this morning in hopes that a decision from the Labour Relations Board (LRB) would allow regular landfill operations to continue following the start of job action by unionized staff at the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

The City’s application to the LRB for a common site picketing order concluded Sunday however no update or decision on the application has been provided yet (as of 1 p.m. Oct.20).

In a statement, the City says:

“The Regional District currently does not have contractors on site to cap any garbage deposited at the landfill. As a result, it is unlikely that City crews will be able to continue collection and disposal today (Monday). Solid waste trucks are expected to be full based on what staff were able to collect this morning and may be able to unload first thing tomorrow morning.

“Due to this, the remainder of the blue zone will not be collected this week. Pending the outcome from the LRB, City staff plan to proceed with collection in the yellow zone tomorrow. Residents in the blue zone are asked to return their carts away from the curb.

“During this strike action, service hours at the landfill are Tuesday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm. This change will impact the garbage zone collection schedule.

As soon as more information is available and plans are confirmed, the City will provide an update to residents. This situation is evolving rapidly, and the City appreciates the community’s understanding and patience.”

Earlier: At 6:40 am on Monday October 20, CUPE 1699 notified the Regional District as of 6:45 am, that for Monday their members:

will withdraw their services from Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill
will not collect fees at some Regional District sites for the day

At 8:40 am, CUPE provided additional notice as of 8:45 am, that for Monday their members will withdraw their services from:

Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station
Vanway Regional Transfer Station
Shelley Regional Transfer Station
Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station
Valemount Regional Transfer Station

Earlier: CUPE 1699, the union representing workers in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, has commenced rotating strike action.

It began at noon on Saturday, with district workers not collecting fees for small loads of household garbage at the following locations:

Foothills Regional Landfill
Mackenzie Landfill and Transfer Station
Vanway Transfer Station
Robson Valley Recreation Centre
Canoe Valley Recreation Centre

The union issued 72-hour strike notice on October 15.

“Workers across the region deserve basic respect in the workplace,” said Daniel Burke, President of CUPE 1699; “they want the district to recognize the value of their work to keep our district running smoothly.”

The collective agreement with the regional district expired at the end of 2024, and the parties reached an impasse in mediation in August 2025. Workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in August.

“Our members are just trying to afford the basic necessities in the communities they live in and serve every day,” said Burke. “This could be resolved immediately with a wage increase that is in line with the increase other municipal workers in the region have already negotiated.”

The City of Prince George and CUPE locals 399 & 1048 ratified a three-year collective agreement last November with a 14 per cent wage increase over three years.

In a statement on October 15, the regional district called collective bargaining with the union “challenging,” adding that its goal was find to find a resolution “that balances our responsiblity to taxpayers and providing a fair deal to our employees.”

The City of Prince George said on October 18 that the presence of a picket line at the Foothills Landfill would deter city workers from crossing the line to drop off residential garbage for city residents. A hearing for a common picketing site was set to take place over the weekend.

Garbage was being collected in Prince George as of Monday morning, October 20.

by CKPG Today

Rotating job action in RDFFG

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