Transit workers vote on strike after failed talks with Coast Mountain Bus Company

Unionized bus drivers and SeaBus operators will vote Tuesday on whether to take strike action after contract talks between Unifor and the Coast Mountain Bus Company broke off.

Unifor Locals 111 and 2200, which represent 5,000 transit workers across Metro Vancouver, said negotiations began in February, before the previous contract was set to expire on March 31, but deteriorated after the employer “hardened its position and refused to withdraw its concession demands.”

In a statement last week, Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle said members have bargained in good faith and are ready to reach a fair deal.

“But Coast Mountain Bus Company needs to understand that attacks on safety, on dignity and on the union itself will not be accepted. These workers move hundreds of thousands of people every day, and they have earned a contract that respects that responsibility,” said McGarrigle.

The company says it remains committed to reachinga fair agreement.

“As we are still in the middle stages of bargaining, the parties have several terms to work through in order to reach an agreement,” said a statement from Coast Mountain Bus Company last week.

“There is no current impact to bus or SeaBus service, which continue to operate as normal.”

Unifor says the strike vote will take place from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. at its offices in New Westminster.

“The Joint Bargaining Committee is in a position where we require a strong mandate from the Membership to move forward,” said a notice on the union’s website.

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the Coast Mountain Bus Company for comment on the vote.

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