Special mediator appointed after Sea-to-Sky transit workers vote to reject deal

The union representing transit workers on a months-long strike in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region says a special mediator has been appointed after members voted to reject a tentative deal that had been recommended by their bargaining committee.

A statement from Unifor says the union and the employer, PW Transit, have agreed to work with veteran mediator Vince Ready for up to 10 days with the goal of reaching a settlement that would end the strike that began on Jan. 29.

If a settlement cannot be reached during that time, Unifor says Ready would prepare non-binding recommendations that members of Local 114 would vote on.

PW Transit, a third-party contractor for BC Transit, had released a statement saying it was “stunned and extremely disappointed” that workers in the Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton areas had voted to reject the tentative deal.

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The company says it believes it had presented a fair offer reached through mediation last Friday, and it had trusted that the bargaining committee’s recommendation would result in approval of the agreement in Monday’s vote.

Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s western regional director, says “after two years of bargaining and failed sessions with a mediator, it’s clear a more structured process is necessary.”