All systems were back up and running Wednesday morning as the union ended a 48-hour strike that affected both bus and SeaBus service across Metro Vancouver.
As of Wednesday, wages were one of the key issues between both CUPE 4500 and Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), with negotiations stalled.
However, in a morning update, the B.C. government announced that it had appointed Vince Reddy as a special mediator in the ongoing negotiation dispute.
This will enable him to make recommendations that will be made public.
He was already acting as the go-between between CUPE 4500 and Coast Mountain Bus Company.
Reddy will work with both sides from Thursday “for up to six days to ensure a resolution.” If no agreement is reached by then, Reddy will issue a recommendation on February 2, after which the union and employer will have five days to accept or reject the proposal, the state said. It is said to become.
This comes after bus and SeaBus services were suspended for two days this week.
Lawrence Frank, a professor of urban studies and planning at UBC, said the strike shows how badly the Lower Mainland needs access to a reliable bus system.
“We rely heavily on transportation. It’s a region that has worked hard to gain public confidence in the reliability and functionality of our transportation system.”
He added that restoring public trust in the system will be important for all involved, which he believes is now broken.
“The bus system helps with many connecting trips. People aren’t the only ones who take the SkyTrain. In many areas where rail is not available, the bus system actually serves neighborhoods. This is an important part of the system. It’s a component.”
Despite the walkability of many areas in the Lower Mainland, Frank says there is room for improvement.
“There are broadly speaking two different types of transit users. Some people can choose to take transit, while others have other options. They are selective users. and those who are dependent.
“The people who actually have the choice are not actually harmed because they have other options, but they are actually underserved and disadvantaged. are dependent people who have moved to less expensive locations as prices in walkable areas of the region have increased in recent years.
He also pointed to areas where sidewalk safety may be an issue, leading to an increase in injuries and fatalities.
Frank says those who are most affected by this labor disparity are those who don’t have access to transportation to leave their homes – the most vulnerable.
Don’t expect the NDP government to be involved in brokering an agreement anytime soon.
Will the prefecture intervene?
City News legislative reporter Riza Yuzda says it’s highly unlikely and politically risky for the state to force them to return to work right now.
“In general, most governments are reluctant to force agreements when contract negotiations take place between employers and unions. This government is particularly unlikely to mandate agreements at the best of times. It’s low, but this is an election year, so it’s even less likely.”
On Tuesday, unions representing bus drivers and other transit workers did not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction with the situation.
Unifor Local 111, which represents more than 4,000 transportation operators, and Local 2200, which represents 1,100 trade, support and Seabus operating employees, took aim at CMBC and TransLink.
“This is a Coast Mountain Bus Company strike,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. He went on to say that CMBC made a “reckless calculation” and “decided to shut down the system before the deadline for the CUPE strike.”
McGarrigle added that Unifor members are “very concerned” about the situation and “recognize that we have a duty to the public and want to serve on the ground.” [them]”
CUPE 4500 said in Monday’s update that there is a “long-standing pay disparity.” Spokesman Liam O’Neill claimed the members were “doing the same job as other TransLink supervisors but being paid less”.
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn criticized this, saying CMBC’s supervisor and SkyTrain’s supervisor are “two completely different positions”.
–With files from Srushti Gangdev, Liza Yuzda, Dean Recksiedler, and hana Mae Nassar