Union, Coast Mountain accept recommendations aimed at preventing Metro Vancouver transit strike

Both CUPE 4500 and Coast Mountain Bus Company have accepted recommendations aimed at preventing another possible transit strike in Metro Vancouver.

The union announced earlier Thursday that it had agreed to the plan from special mediator Vince Ready, noting the recommendations “represent an acceptable compromise” for unionized workers.

Later the same day, CMBC said it too had accepted the recommendations.

“As recommended by the Special Mediator, the next step will be to sign a Memorandum of Agreement before the ratification process,” CMBC President and GM Michael McDaniel said just before 3 p.m. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Listen to CityNews 1130 LIVE now!

“As the Special Mediator noted, labour disruptions in the Lower Mainland’s public transportation system lead to significant public hardship and negative economic impacts. Without public transportation, commuters are left stranded, unable to get to work, school or medical appointments. For many, paying significant costs for alternative forms of transportation isn’t an option, and without public transit there is increased traffic and congestion for many,” McDaniel added.

According to the union, Ready’s plan “takes sufficient steps to addressing the key issues” of its members.

“While they don’t completely address our issues, these recommendations are clearly our best path towards a mutually acceptable settlement,” said Liam O’Neill, spokesperson for CUPE 4500.

The union was threatening to launch another shutdown of bus and SeaBus service as early as Saturday, if an agreement was not reached by 12:01 a.m. Feb. 3. This escalation would last 72 hours.

CUPE 4500 said earlier Thursday that it still stood by this plan if both sides can’t come to a deal by that deadline.

“We don’t see any reason to leave transit users in a state of uncertainty. We hope Coast Mountain will be quick in its deliberations and make its intentions clear,” said O’Neill. “For the sake of transit users, and the on-going relationship between CUPE 4500 members and Coast Mountain, let us put this dispute behind us.”

The looming escalation of strike action comes as a Labour Relations Board hearing continues, with the union seeking permission to also set up pickets at SkyTrain stations, TransLink facilities, and BC Transit sites in the Fraser Valley and Victoria.

If the board agrees with CUPE 4500’s arguments, and if the union follows through with its threat, that could effectively shut down all transit services — including SkyTrain — in Metro Vancouver and the other regions.

However, the transit authorities have been trying to have those additional sites designated as essential services, shielding them from being shut down by labour action.

In January, CUPE 4500’s transit supervisors began an overtime ban as a first step. Later in the month, on Jan. 22 at 3 a.m., the union launched new strike action, with bus and SeaBus service in Metro Vancouver grounding to a halt for 48 hours.

On Jan. 24, the province appointed Ready as a special mediator to help resolved the dispute between CUPE 4500 and CMBC. He had already been acting as a mediator before talks broke down between the two sides.