The union representing 1,800 outside workers in Vancouver, including garbage collectors, has issued a 72-hour strike notice.

The notice was issued after the Labour Relations Board approved essential service levels for CUPE local 1004. Essential service levels have also been set for 800 unionized workers in the District of North Vancouver.

Essential services levels stipulate what services the union would have to continue to provide, even in the event of a strike.

The strike by Vancouver workers could affect all municipalities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Members of CUPE 1004 could stop other municipalities from dumping garbage at the Vancouver landfill in Delta.

The union said it's unlikely its members will walk off the job Thursday. Instead it said job action will begin with an overtime ban.

The union tried to issue the strike notice last week, but was delayed until essential service levels were set Monday morning.

CUPE B.C. president Barry O'Neil said other CUPE locals in 11 Lower Mainland municipalities will likely issue strike notices as well.

Nine thousand of the Lower Mainland's 12,000 unionized municipal workers were already in a legal strike position. Once they issue strike notices they can walk off the job or take job action in 72 hours.

Vancouver has offered its employees a 39-month contract to get through the 2010 Olympics, but the union wants a two-year agreement and a bigger raise than the 10 per cent offer.

The city said that in the event of job action, plans will be in place to provide essential services to protect the health and safety of residents.