Commuters will face suspension of all bus and SeaBus services.
The union representing transit supervisors across Metro Vancouver could move forward with an all-out bus strike next week.
CUPE 4500, the union representing transportation supervisors, including those who supervise bus drivers and mechanics, has announced that the current overtime ban will be implemented starting Monday, January 22nd at 3 a.m. on all buses. There is a possibility that this could lead to a service outage.
Following an impasse with employer Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), the union began a strike on January 6, affecting all operations within the company’s system.
Wages are a central issue in negotiations. 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.
Michael McDaniel, president and general manager of CMBC, said in a previous interview that the transit supervisory union has “almost twice as many unrealistic expectations” as all other unions are accepting, and that it has “unrealistic expectations” over the next three years. He told VIA that he is seeking a 25% wage increase.
CUPE 4500 spokesperson Liam O’Neill said the union had never proposed an “across the board 25 per cent pay increase”, with some members paying far less than other transport workers for the same job. He said he only received wages.
“This is unfair and we need to find a solution at the table,” he told VIA. , less than 0.05% of the 2024 budget for benefits.”
“Even though this is essentially a rounding error, they refuse to address the pay inequality that still exists.”
What would happen if there was an all-out Coast Mountain Bus strike in Metro Vancouver?
Now in the 12th day of the overtime ban, the union has announced that it will extend the strike if the collective agreement is not met by January 22nd. If the strike goes ahead, virtually all bus services will be shut down.
“CUPE 4500 has been waiting over four weeks for Coast Mountain to respond to our latest offer. Our patience has run out for Coast Mountain to take negotiations and our issues seriously,” a CUPE 4500 spokesperson said. Official Liam O’Neill said this at a press conference in Burnaby on Thursday.
“Our members are entitled to a fair deal.”
The full strike will begin early Monday morning and last for 48 hours. Commuters will face the suspension of all bus and SeaBus services during the two-day withdrawal, according to a news release.
CMBC operates more than 96% of Metro Vancouver’s TransLink bus routes.
Mr O’Neill said: “We are disappointed that passengers will experience disruption, but we do not have a choice.” “Unless Coast Mountain commits to ensuring that transit supervisors receive the same pay as others doing similar work and takes our workload issues seriously, we have no choice. There’s no room for that.”
After receiving the strike notice, CMBC called the decision “unfortunate” and urged the union to reconsider its decision. A statement released Thursday evening said the union’s actions could have a “significant impact” on the system, up to a “total suspension” of bus and SeaBus services.
Customers will be notified of any service impacts as they become known.