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

Crammed legislative agenda awaits new Parliament

The Liberals promised more than a dozen initiatives in their election platform — including the introduction or reintroduction of at least eight bills — within the first 100 days of a new mandate.

Crammed legislative agenda awaits new Parliament

Alberta to announce child-care deal with feds

The federal Liberal government has already inked deals with seven provinces and one territory on its $30-billion, five-year child care plan, which promises to cut child-care prices to an average of $10 per day across the country, but Alberta and Ontario so far have remained holdouts.

Alberta to announce child-care deal with feds

Time for tough love with U.S., experts urge Canada

WASHINGTON - Business leaders in Canada are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to show some tough love when he visits the White House this week. Trudeau is scheduled to meet face-to-face Thursday with U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Time for tough love with U.S., experts urge Canada

Unvaccinated federal workers on unpaid leave

Employees in the core federal public sector who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be put on unpaid leave today, unless they were already granted an accommodation. The policy could potentially leave more than 1,000 workers without pay and unable to access employment insurance benefits.

Unvaccinated federal workers on unpaid leave

MPs worry about Hill safety after charged election

Jenny Kwan, NDP MP for Vancouver East, says she opted in to an expert security assessment of her home and it made her feel safer knowing the measures are up to par not just for herself but also her family.

MPs worry about Hill safety after charged election

Rocks and mudslides close B.C. highways

Rising rivers or landslides also prompted evacuation orders in Merritt, Agassiz, Abbotsford and in Princeton, where a dike burst Monday morning, forcing residents of about 200 properties from their homes. In Merritt, rising river waters overwhelmed the city's water system and residents were ordered to "immediately cease" all water use.