City of Colwood workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike, setting up a potential disruption to local services including the Colwood Medical Clinic. Members of CUPE Local 374 voted 92 percent in favour of job action on June 9, 2026, after more than a year without a contract. The approximately 70 employees have been working under an agreement that expired December 31, 2024.
The central issue is a dispute over health-related leave. According to CUPE 374, the City is proposing to eliminate dedicated paid leave for medical appointments, forcing workers to use sick days instead. The City denies this, saying it is not cutting leave but offering more flexible options, including four days of Well-being Leave and six additional sick days for 56 percent of employees. Wages are also on the table, with the City proposing a 10.4 percent increase over three years.
“This result sends a clear message that workers believe the employer needs to take a different approach,” said CUPE 374 President Shireen Clark. City of Colwood Chief Administrative Officer Jason Johnson said the City tabled four proposals and removed three in an effort to reach a deal, while the union put forward 34 proposals.
No strike can legally start until the BC Labour Relations Board issues an Essential Services Order. Once that order is in place, CUPE 374 would be in a legal strike position. Talks began in December 2025 after delays both sides said were beyond their control, and a mediator joined in April 2026 but no agreement was reached.
If a strike happens, residents could see slower service, especially at the Colwood Medical Clinic. The clinic serves about 2,000 patients, and reduced staffing could mean longer wait times. The City encourages residents to use its online Action Request form for urgent issues.
