Contract talks continue for Metro Vancouver bus and SeaBus workers
Credit to Author: Jennifer Saltman| Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:58:31 +0000
The union representing striking bus and SeaBus workers and maintenance staff was “cautiously optimistic” as contract talks resumed with Coast Mountain Bus Company on Thursday morning.
But if outstanding issues such as wages and working conditions are not addressed and a deal is not reached, bus drivers could stage a one-day overtime ban on Friday, which could take 10 to 15 per cent of vehicles off the road and cause major issues for transit users, who have been dealing with SeaBus and bus trip cancellations for almost two weeks.
Drivers were instructed to begin refusing Friday overtime shifts on Tuesday.
“We hope that they’ll address those issues, but we’ve been very clear all along that there will be no deal unless all of those issues are addressed. This morning, I think we’ll find out relatively quickly whether or not they’re serious,” said Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle, speaking to media in the lobby of the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel.
Thus far, job action has included a uniform ban for bus drivers and an overtime ban for maintenance workers.
Thus far, there have been been 142 SeaBus sailing cancellations since the strike began on Nov. 1 — including six scheduled for Thursday — and last Friday frequency was reduced on 25 bus routes during the morning rush because of the overtime ban by maintenance workers.
McGarrigle said there was progress during talks on Wednesday on the topic of working conditions for bus drivers.
“We think we have some ideas and we’re starting to close the gap a little bit on that, so that was positive,” he said.
SkyTrain cars leave Brentwood SkyTrain station in Burnaby earlier this year. Contract talks broke off Tuesday between SkyTrain workers who operate and maintain the Expo and Millennium lines and their employer, B.C. Rapid Transit Company.
The deal previously offered to transit workers includes a 12.2-per-cent pay increase for skilled trades over four years, and a 9.6-per-cent pay increase for transit operators over the same period. The company has also offered to implement measures to improve working conditions.
Under the current contract, conventional bus drivers start at $22.83 an hour during a 30-day training period, then go from $24.46 an hour to $32.61 an hour after 24 months of employment. Those driving 40- and 60-foot buses get benefits that include medical, vision and dental, a pension plan and family bus passes.
Unifor had sought an increase of 15.2 per cent over four years for bus drivers and 16.7 per cent over four years for maintenance workers. It also asked for improved benefits and better working conditions, including a guaranteed minimum break time for drivers while they’re on shift.
Bus and SeaBus workers are not the only transit employees in Metro Vancouver who are bargaining a new contract.
On Tuesday, contract talks between SkyTrain workers who operate and maintain the Expo and Millennium lines and their employer, B.C. Rapid Transit Company, broke off.
The union is planning to meet with its membership — 900 SkyTrain attendants, control operators, administration, maintenance and technical staff — this week and next week to determine next steps. No further talks have been scheduled with the company.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 7000 president Tony Rebelo said there are several areas on which the two sides disagree, including wages, staffing, forced overtime and sick leave.
The contract for SkyTrain workers expired on Aug. 31, and the two sides have been in bargaining since the beginning of May.
Canada Line workers are not involved in this round of bargaining. They are represented by the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) and their contract expires on Dec. 31. Negotiations with their employer, Protrans BC, which operates Canada Line, have not yet started. West Coast Express is also unaffected.
Bargaining is also under way for Coast Mountain Bus Company’s operational, scheduling and administrative workers, and TransLink office workers, including clerks, assistants, administrators, coordinators, technicians and analysts. They are represented by MoveUp Local 378 and their contracts expired on March 31.
The Amalgamated Transit Union 134, which represents 155 West Vancouver Blue Bus shuttle and bus drivers, mechanics and service workers, is expected to begin bargaining with the District of West Vancouver this month.
More to come …
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