SkyTrain workers return to bargaining table with strike mandate

Credit to Author: Scott Brown| Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2019 23:23:28 +0000

The union representing SkyTrain workers and their employer, B.C. Rapid Transit Company, have agreed to return to the bargaining table this weekend in a bid to reach an agreement and avoid a strike.

On Thursday, CUPE 7000, which represents 900 workers who operate and maintain Metro Vancouver’s Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines, announced a 96.8 per cent vote in favour of job action if a contract isn’t reached.

Michel Ladrak, president of B.C. Rapid Transit Company, called the move to resume collective bargaining a positive step.

The bargaining will take place ahead of mediation sessions between the two sides that were already scheduled to begin Nov. 28.

“The company has informed us that they’re willing to take another look at substantial issues in advance of mediation, so we have agreed to meet with them,” said CUPE 7000 president Tony Rebelo. “In fairness, we have agreed to make no further statement until those discussions have occurred.”

The union has been without a contract since Aug. 31.

Rebelo said the main concerns are wages, staffing levels, forced overtime and sick leave.

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