The city of Vancouver will head back to the bargaining table this weekend with all three unions representing striking city workers.
CUPE Local 15, which represents inside workers, CUPE Local 1004, which represents outside workers and CUPE Local 391, which represents Vancouver public library employees, will meet with the city under a media blackout.
Vancouver's municipal workers went on strike July 19, suspending regular pick-up of garbage and other city services.
Workers in Burnaby, Surrey, Delta and Richmond have signed a five-year deal containing wage hikes of about 17 per cent.
North Vancouver District members will vote Saturday on a similar tentative contract that would end a two-week strike there.
About 600 managers are currently doing the work of more than 5,000 workers in Vancouver.
The job action means delays in everything from new-home construction to minor renovations as inspectors or city crews aren't available to hook up water and sewer connections.
The last two municipal strikes since 1997 lasted up to two months.
The unions are against 39-month contracts being offered by municipalities that are designed to ensure labour peace until after the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
They say the term is too long and the wage package is not enough. The union is asking for 18 per cent while the city is offering 10 per cent.
The city maintains the union's proposal is too expensive.
Garbage is piling up, residents are angry and the rat population is growing in the city.
On Thursday, the Greater Vancouver Regional District announced it will be shutting down the six waste-transfer stations it operates in the Lower Mainland.
A number of waste stations are are being closed around the city due to the increased demand created by the strike.
