The transit strike is slated to begin as early as Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. Photo: Vancouver bus / TransLink
TransLink has announced that the transit strike would result in some runs being cancelled due to the lack of maintenance overtime.
Michael McDaniel, President of Coast Mountain Bus Company, states that Coast Mountain Bus Company has been negotiating in good faith and, "has made fair and reasonable offers recognizing the vital role our employees play in the region."
"If the union proceeds with job action, it will only punish transit users in Metro Vancouver, many of whom rely on our system for their daily commute," he remarks.
McDaniel adds that without the maintenance overtime, the strike will result in bus and SeaBus service cancellations.
Jill Drews, Senior Issues Management Advisor, TransLink, underscored this sentiment, noting that, "We can’t run buses with mechanical or other issues so this action will reduce the size of the available fleet and some runs will be canceled."
McDaniel states that the CMBC has been negotiating with Unifor since Aug. 1, and that when talks broke off, the company asked the union to participate in third-party mediation. However, they refused.
CMBC is currently in negotiation with the union, and state that its current offer, "includes significantly better wages and benefits, and addresses working conditions."
"This package would be greater than most other public sector settlements in B.C. I urge the union to hold off on job action until a deal is done," said McDaniel.
If a tentative agreement isn’t reached, strike action is slated to begin as early as Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m.
