Fraser Valley transit strike comes to an end after four months

The four-month-long transit strike in the Fraser Valley is finally over, as the union representing striking workers says members ratified a new contract Friday.

CUPE 561 says the six-year agreement helps narrow the wage gap with other transit workers in the region — something the union’s president says they had been fighting for.

“Our members needed a lift, and with this agreement, they got one,” said Randy Kootte.

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The freshly ratified agreement also includes a new pension plan for CUPE 561’s 213 members. The union says this plan is set to come into effect “next spring.”

Vince Ready was brought in as a mediator to help hash out a new deal between the union and transit operator in early June, and Kootte gives him credit for helping get things done.

“Special Mediator Vince Ready’s recommendations were a fair compromise, providing us with a foundation for future rounds of bargaining. By ratifying this memorandum of settlement, the members agree that this contract is a good start in addressing their concerns.”

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Kootte says the union was also thankful for the support that workers received from Fraser Valley residents.

“We cannot thank our communities enough for supporting us in our struggle to achieve wage fairness and retirement security — and showing that support despite the many hardships and inconveniences people had to endure as the dispute dragged on,” he said.

Transit workers in the region will now start the process of returning to work after 124 days on strike, and the union says it will work alongside First Transit to get buses rolling as soon as possible.