VANCOUVER - The union representing roughly 5,000 striking transit workers in Metro Vancouver says it is ready to discuss its next steps in the 12-day-old job action.
Unifor lead negotiator Gavin McGarrigle and other Unifor representatives say they will hold a news conference later today in New Westminster.
Coast Mountain Bus Company handles Lower Mainland bus and SeaBus routes on behalf of TransLink, but talks between the company and Unifor broke off nearly two weeks ago.
Unifor transit workers in Metro Vancouver headed back to the bargaining table but escalation is still an option on November 15 https://t.co/68yxQuqiVL #vanpoli #bcpoli #bclab #transitstrike pic.twitter.com/hccZqP6c0o
— Unifor Canada (@UniforTheUnion) November 12, 2019
Wages, benefits and working conditions are key issues.
A ban on overtime by maintenance workers slowed or cancelled runs on about two dozen bus routes last week, and there have been frequent cancellations on the SeaBus link between Vancouver and the North Shore, including six planned cancellations late this afternoon.
The union has said the overtime ban could be extended to drivers, potentially affecting as much as 15 per cent of bus service across the region.
Premier John Horgan warned last week that lengthy job action, similar to a four-month transit strike in 2001, will not be tolerated.
UNIFOR CALLS ON COAST MOUNTAIN TO NEGOTIATE TO END THE TRANSIT STRIKE
Unifor will return to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith with Coast Mountain Bus Company, but warns that more inaction from the employer will cause further transit disruptions by the end of the week.
“We’ve been bargaining for months. Transit workers in Metro Vancouver have been very patient with the employer,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “But ultimately our members have a legal right to withdraw their services if the disrespect from Translink and CMBC continues and a contract cannot be achieved through bargaining alone.”
Unifor bargained for 29 non-consecutive days before the members of Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 began legal strike action on November 1. At issue are working conditions, benefits, and wages.
Since the dispute began, nearly 100 Seabus sailings have been cancelled and the impacts of an overtime ban in maintenance have begun to impact bus routes across the region.
But Unifor says escalation is assured if the employer cannot bring new offers to the negotiations. Unifor announced a one-day overtime ban for transit operators on Friday, November 15, with consideration of additional overtime bans next week.
“Inaction by Translink will result in new job action on Friday,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “We are prepared to work very hard to reach a fair agreement and sincerely hope the company is not playing games when it asks us to return to the table.”