National

Transit strike drags on in Sea-to-Sky corridor

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2022 10:03 AM

WHISTLER, B.C. - Talks have collapsed between striking transit workers and their employer in the Sea-to-Sky region of B.C., with the two sides unable to agree on eventual wage parity.

Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle says in a statement that progress was being made during two days of negotiations before they ended late Thursday.

McGarrigle says talks broke off when the two private contractors bargaining on behalf of BC Transit rejected eventual wage parity with Metro Vancouver transit operators who make an average of $3 more per hour.

We appreciate the kudos from riders, but “thanks” isn’t enough from the employer. Local 114 members on strike in #Squamish #Whistler and #Pemberton. @BCTransit: stop dragging your heels and get funding to this region so transit workers can get back to serving their community. https://t.co/MaN5QQpvym
— Gavin McGarrigle (@gavinmcgarrigle) March 18, 2022

The Unifor statement says no future negotiating dates are scheduled.

More than 80 members of Unifor Local 114 went on strike Jan. 29, suspending BC Transit services in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.

The union says two years of bargaining leading up to the strike failed to make headway on demands including job security, benefits, or the wage parity issue.

Photo courtesy of Istock.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. coroner to release report on overdose deaths

A statement from the coroner's office says the panel reviewed 6,000 deaths from toxic illicit drugs between 2017 and 2021. There were 2,224 suspected overdose deaths in the province last year, which was a 26 per cent jump over the previous year.

B.C. coroner to release report on overdose deaths

254 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

There are 419 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 63 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, one new death (Fraser Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,915.

254 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

More work needed to prevent fraud: B.C. auditor

Michael Pickup says in a news release that fraud risk management in the province is decentralized and shared by ministries as well as the Office of the Comptroller General, which provides oversight and support.

More work needed to prevent fraud: B.C. auditor

Lululemon founder starting new venture to find cure for type of muscular dystrophy

Chip Wilson was diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy when he was 32, saying it has contributed to his muscle loss and he expects to not be able to walk without help in eight years. He says the funding will go toward finding a cure for the disorder by the end of 2027.

Lululemon founder starting new venture to find cure for type of muscular dystrophy

Trudeau, NATO stage rebuke of Russia in Latvia

The prime minister promised Baltic leaders on a whirlwind trip to Latvia that Canada will stand with them to fight Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and its cyberattacks on their countries.

Trudeau, NATO stage rebuke of Russia in Latvia

Feds fine passengers on Sunwing party flight

A half-dozen passengers who were not fully vaccinated when they boarded have now received penalties that could reach a maximum of $5,000 each, Transport Canada said. Under COVID-19 rules, all passengers must be fully vaccinated to board a flight departing the country.