Three union branches that represent a large number of transit workers in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria have issued strike notices, giving a 72-hour warning. Unifor announced that transit operators in Local 111 and skilled-trade workers in Local 2200 will commence a uniform ban on Monday, affecting the Coast Mountain Bus Company but not impacting service for passengers. Additionally, workers in Victoria represented by Local 333 will also participate in a uniform ban starting on the same day.
The decision to initiate this job action follows a prolonged period of negotiations for Greater Victoria employees, who voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike in May after more than a year of bargaining. Similarly, despite months of negotiations and mediation for workers in Metro Vancouver, a settlement was not reached.
Unifor’s western regional director, Gavin McGarrigle, stated that the union took this step as a response to employers’ failure to address various concerns, including wages, privatization, and working conditions such as turnaround times between trips. He emphasized that if the situation does not improve, the union will consider escalating their actions in the future.
Both TransLink and the Coast Mountain Bus Company did not provide an immediate comment in response to the strike notice. B.C. Transit, responsible for Victoria’s transit system, expressed disappointment over the situation despite their efforts to reach a resolution and assured that the HandyDART service will not be affected. The organization reiterated its commitment to negotiating while supporting customers, employees, partners, and the communities it serves, apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the labor dispute.