Three union chapters representing a large number of transit workers in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria have given strike notices with a 72-hour notice period. According to a statement from Unifor, transit operators in Local 111 and skilled-trade workers in Local 2200 will begin a uniform ban on Monday following the issuance of a strike notice to the Coast Mountain Bus Company. However, there will be no immediate impact on service for riders. Another statement indicates that B.C. Transit workers in Victoria, represented by Local 333, will also participate in the uniform ban commencing Monday.
In Greater Victoria, this action follows over a year of negotiations, with members overwhelmingly voting in favor of a strike in May. Despite months of bargaining and mediation in Metro Vancouver, a resolution could not be reached.
Unifor’s western regional director, Gavin McGarrigle, stated, “There are various issues ranging from wages to working conditions. It is clear that we needed to convey the message that our concerns are not being addressed at the negotiation table. If our only recourse is job action, we are starting at the initial stage, but we are prepared to escalate if needed.”
The decision to take this step was made after members felt that employers had not adequately addressed ongoing concerns regarding wages, privatization, and working conditions, including the recovery time between trips. Both TransLink and the Coast Mountain Bus Company have not provided immediate comments on the situation.
B.C. Transit, responsible for Victoria’s transit system, expressed disappointment over the strike notice despite their efforts to find a resolution. They reassured that the HandyDART service will not be affected and emphasized their commitment to negotiations while supporting customers, employees, partners, and the communities they serve. The organization apologized for any inconvenience caused by the labor dispute.