Contract talks between Unifor and Coast Mountain Bus Company have stalled, and the union says it’s moving to secure a strike mandate from transit workers.
Unifor Locals 111 and 2200, which represents 5,000 transit workers across Metro Vancouver, says 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 Tuesday, 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 statement claims that some of the employer’s proposals would “leave workers taking breaks without reliable access to potable water or working washrooms,” weaken health and safety protections, “including limits on excessive shift lengths for operators and standards for first aid coverage,” and allow Coast Mountain Bus Company to “contract out skilled trades work and to let supervisors absorb bargaining unit jobs.”
Unifor National President Lana Payne says the union will not stop until the locals have an agreement that protects worker safety and dignity.
“The people who run this region’s buses and SeaBus deserve respect, not concessions,” said Payne.
The statement did not provide a timeline for Unifor to seek a strike mandate.
1130 NewsRadio has reached out to Unifor for more information and the Coast Mountain Bus Company via TransLink for comment.