Unionized transit workers in the Cowichan Valley have voted unanimously in favour of strike action but expect to return to bargaining in the new year in the hopes of reaching a deal.
The contract between 44 members of Unifor Local 114 and service owner Transdev expired March 31. Transdev operates the service under contract with B.C. Transit.
Union members voted unanimously for strike action on Nov. 20. Bargaining started in the spring.
Local 114 members are transit operators, cleaners and mechanics.
“They’ve been hammering at it all this year to see if they could get closer to a deal,” Unifor’s western regional director Gavin McGariggle said Friday.
The union does not want to see the gap on wages widen between regular B.C. Transit system employees and the union members in Cowichan and other contracted services in the province, he said. B.C. Transit workers receive a higher rate of pay, he said.
Other issues include working conditions, breaks and appropriate washroom facilities for operators, and pensions.
Transdev spokesman Frederic Bourgeois-Leblanc said in a statement the company is “committed to achieving the best possible outcome for all parties involved.
“To respect the confidentiality of ongoing discussions, we are unable to provide further details for now.”
B.C. Transit said it is monitoring the situation in the Cowichan Valley and hopes the parties will reach a resolution soon.
>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: [email protected]
