Transit strike: Full bus shutdown for three days next week
Credit to Author: Matt Robinson| Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2019 00:19:37 +0000
It’s time for TransLink head honchos with “their fingers in their ears” to come to the table and settle with transit drivers and maintenance workers, or face a three-day bus system shutdown next week, Unifor’s head negotiator said Wednesday.
“There is still time to avoid this work stoppage,” Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle told reporters and a roaring crowd of union members during a news conference where he announced the most extensive job action to date in the transit strike.
Members plan to escalate job action next week, shutting down all bus and SeaBus service on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, McGarrigle said. The system will return to full service on Saturday, Nov. 30.
But McGarrigle warned that wouldn’t be the end of job action if a deal isn’t reached that resolved issues like inadequate breaks, unsanitary washrooms and overcrowded buses. “Our members are willing to last as long as it takes,” he said.
If Unifor’s workers were feeling any trepidation about the move to deepen job action in the weeks-long transit dispute, it didn’t show at the union’s New Westminster office ahead of McGarrigle’s announcement. The mood was of optimistic camaraderie, with members greeting one another heartily, chatting and laughing among themselves.
After the system shutdown was announced, union members broke into chants of “Unifor!” and “solidarity!,” before scrawling messages on picket signs.
“I deserve a fair contract NOW!” read one sign. “I need to eat,” “I need to pee,” and “We want better working conditions,” read others.
But TransLink claims its subsidiary, Coast Mountain Bus Company, has met the union’s demands for better working conditions and rest times through its offer. Ben Murphy, a TransLink spokesman, called the strike “completely unnecessary,” and said the two sides now really only differ on the question of pay.
“We are incredibly disappointed by the announced escalation of job action by the union today. This will have a devastating impact on this region,” Murphy said. “This is on the union.”
Murphy said TransLink has offered three times to bring in a mediator, but said the union has refused. He said there is a gap of about $150 million between the two sides.
Politicians in Victoria weighed in Wednesday on the strike, which TransLink claims will impact some 350,000 transit riders each day.
B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains said the union’s announcement was difficult news for everyone who relies on transit in the region.
“We strongly urge both sides to get back to discussions at the bargaining table — that’s where solutions and a fair deal will be found,” said Bains.
He said it’s a matter between the union and the company, and he expects they will sort it out without outside involvement.
But B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson called for Premier John Horgan to wade into the matter.
“The premier has the power to help end this strike by appointing a mediator to get both parties back to the table. Now that a system-wide shutdown is planned for next week why won’t John Horgan finally do something?” Wilkinson said in a news release.
The union said its move follows Coast Mountain’s failure to make new offers at the bargaining table. Contract talks broke off for a second time last week.
Workers have already refused overtime, and since Nov. 1. bus drivers have declined to wear their uniforms. The strike has already caused hundreds of bus delays, cancellations and a reduction in SeaBus service.
Meanwhile, there could be more transit woes on the way, as CUPE 7000, the union representing 900 SkyTrain employees who work on the Expo and Millennium lines, said its members are taking a strike vote this week. Results are expected Thursday.
-With files from Rob Shaw