Talks between striking Metro Vancouver wastewater plant workers and the regional district broke off on Friday, and a new picket line went up at another facility.

Members of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees Union (GVRDEU) went on strike on Monday, Oct. 16, after almost two years without a contract.

The workers operate the wastewater treatment plants around the region, including the Northwest 91原创 plant in Walnut Grove and the Annacis Island plant in Delta.

Last week, the GVRDEU bargaining committee released a statement saying it was optimistic and that talks had some momentum, but further discussions Friday morning broke off, 鈥渁s it became evident that the employer was not willing to provide us with the parity we seek compared to other member municipalities.鈥�

鈥淲e remain committed to our goal of achieving fair treatment for our membership,鈥� the statement said.

After the meeting broke off, a new picket line went up a the Jervis Pump Station in Vancouver, which pumps wastewater to the treatment plant in Richmond at Iona Island.

The union also organized a solidarity rally for Saturday, with the BC Federation of Labour, at Surrey City Hall where a metro Vancouver Council of Councils meeting was scheduled. The meeting was postponed.

鈥淚t has become evident that Metro Vancouver Board members remain silent on this offer of inequity,鈥� the union said.

Metro Vancouver released its own statement on the weekend after talks faltered.

鈥淢etro Vancouver has continued to adjust its offer,鈥� said a message from Sandra Jansen, the general manager of external relations for the regional district. 鈥淢etro Vancouver has offered an 11.5 per cent wage increase over three years, including a change in the one-time lump sum initially offered to respond to the union鈥檚 ask which is now proposed at 4.5% of wages. What we have offered is in line with other recently settled agreements throughout the region. We have also offered other improvements to allowances and benefits.鈥�

Jansen noted that despite the strike, there will be no disruption in sewer treatment service.

The wastewater plants, which serve almost 2.8 million people in Metro Vancouver, are currently being operated by a mixture of essential service union staff, along with non-union managers and engineers.

READ MORE: Wastewater workers in 91原创, around Metro Vancouver, on strike