This time it’s not just the bus…and it’s going to last much longer.
The Metro Vancouver transit strike could extend to other TransLink services, including SkyTrain lines, starting next week.
CUPE 4500, the union representing transit supervisors, including transit supervisors who oversee bus drivers and mechanics, met with the BC Labor Relations Board (BCLRB) on Monday, January 29th to discuss the SkyTrain plan. We plan to discuss the possibility of expanding picket lines to include.
So far, the union only has the right to set up picket lines on the bus network, which other unionized workers, including Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) drivers, cannot cross.
The B.C. government has appointed veteran mediator Vince Reddy to help the parties reach an agreement, but if no agreement is reached, the union could expand its mandate.
Why did the traffic supervisor escalate the on-duty action?
The union’s ban on workers working overtime began on January 6th. Although some local residents expressed concerns about potential disruption, no significant impact was felt across the system.
On January 18, the union announced it would expand its hiring efforts, effectively shutting down the employer’s operations, including picketing CMBC bus routes and SeaBus railroad crossings.
After failing to reach an agreement over the weekend, the union staged an escalating strike at 3 a.m. Monday, leaving thousands of people unable to go to work or school.
Wages are a central issue at the negotiation table. The union wants supervisors to be paid the same as SkyTrain field supervisors, but CMBC said the latter’s role is unique because they are responsible for directly managing employees. ing.
The union representing the CMBC operating company did not receive wages for the days they were behind the CUPE 4500 picket line.They include: uniform 111Representing over 4,000 bus drivers, Unifor 2220representing approximately 1,100 skilled and support workers, including Seabus operators.
Both unions maintain that CMBC made the final decision to shut down the system.
“The loss of wages for Unifor members is unacceptable to us and we are demanding that the company compensate our members for their decision to strike,” Unifor 2200 said in a news release.
What will the union’s next transport strike look like?
Reddy, appointed by the British Columbia government, will help both sides reach an agreement.
Union members returned to work Wednesday morning and are expected to continue working while Reddy mediates negotiations over the next six days.
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, union members will be forced to leave work after midnight on February 3 and services will be suspended for 72 hours.
After a 72-hour strike, operations will resume shortly after midnight on February 6th. However, there is always the possibility that the union may extend this strike period or further escalate its labor activities.
But commuters could also lose access to the Millennium and Expo lines if the Labor Board on Monday green-lights the union’s demand for SkyTrain picketing. Service by CUPE 7000 — A union representing more than 1,1000 workers at BC Rapid Transit Company.
This means CUPE 7000 members will also not receive pay for their time lining picket lines at SkyTrain stations or other locations on the network.
The Expo and Millennium Lines are operated by British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Limited, and the Canada Line is operated by ProTrans BC on behalf of TransLink. The scope and location of picketing will be determined by the union and approved by the BCLRB.
CUPE 4500 has not shared any specific plans to picket the Canada Line. The Canada Line is operated by employees representing CUPE 4500. BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU).
