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VANCOUVER—Two Unifor locals representing over 4,700 transit operators, mechanics, maintenance and SeaBus workers in Metro Vancouver have reached a tentative agreement with Coast Mountain Bus Company, a TransLink subsidiary.
Unifor Local 111 President Steve Sutherland, representing transit operators, said the union negotiated a three-year contract with no concessions, with further details to be released at a ratification vote by members on Thursday, July 21. Union members voted in April to give their bargaining committee a strong 98 per cent strike mandate if necessary.
“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement subject to member ratification,” Sutherland said. “If accepted, this contract will provide us with stability and allow us to focus on working with riders, the community and all three levels of government to improve transit services.”
Unifor Local 2200 President Joe Elworthy, representing mechanics, maintenance and SeaBus workers, said the tentative agreement encourages retention and training of skilled trades.
“Our transit system competes with both private and public sector employers for skilled trades—we need to make sure existing Coast Mountain workers stay here and we find and train more workers to keep transit moving for our riders,” Elworthy said.
Unifor BC Area Director Gavin McGarrigle said with a three-year contract, the union can now turn its attention to persuading the provincial government to improving transit following the federal government announcement of additional first stage funding for major projects, including the Broadway subway and Surrey LRT.
“Transit should be the top priority for all three levels of government as the best way to reduce the traffic congestion in Metro Vancouver, cut pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and give riders the transit they need—without pass-ups, overcrowding and infrequent service,” McGarrigle said.
“More bus service is the quickest way to improve transit and the federal and municipal governments have shown they are committed to more funding, so we now need to convince the provincial government to do its share and make pass-ups a thing of the past,” McGarrigle said.
