Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) and the union representing Metro Vancouver’s transit supervisors are scheduled to resume mediation this weekend.
Mediator Vince Reddy invited CUPE 4500 and CMBC to return to the negotiating table on Saturday ahead of a complete shutdown on Monday.
CMBC President Michael McDaniel said in a statement: “We look forward to reaching an agreement that avoids confusion for our customers.”
CUPE 4500 spokesperson Greg Taylor confirmed that union negotiators will also be returning to the table.
CUPE said if a deal is not reached by 3 a.m. Monday, Lower Mainland bus and SeaBus services could be completely suspended.
“It’s “effective.” [shut] All bus services will be suspended,” CUPE 4500 said in a statement on Thursday.
The union said in a statement that it has been waiting more than four weeks for Coast Mountain to respond to its latest offer, adding, “Our patience in asking Coast Mountain to take negotiations and issues seriously has reached its limit. ” he said.
This latest strike threat comes after the union began banning overtime on Jan. 6, and CUPE 4500 said in a statement that “Coast Mountain is no longer willing to negotiate and take the issue seriously. ” he said.
CMBC says transportation supervisors currently earn about $92,400 a year, but they are asking for a 25% increase to $115,400 in three years.
The bus company is offering them just under half of the increase the union is seeking.
Coast Mountain Bus Company spokesman Mike Killeen said the union is seeking a more realistic wage offer, as other CMBC unions are demanding a pay increase that is nearly double what they have already agreed to. He said it should be presented.
“If they follow through on their threat to escalate, there will be no impact on SkyTrain,” he said. “If it were to happen, this would be limited to bass and sea bass. Presumably, if a union sets up a picket, members of other unions will not be able to cross that picket line and there will be significant repercussions.” However, we sincerely hope that this issue will be resolved at the weekend’s negotiations.”
CMBC adds that it will notify customers as soon as possible of any service impacts resulting from operations.
With files from The Canadian Press, Charlie Carey, Pippa Norman and Kier Junos.
