Metro Vancouver transit workers vote yes to new deal
Credit to Author: David Carrigg| Date: Fri, 06 Dec 2019 05:20:25 +0000
Metro Vancouver bus drivers, mechanics and SeaBus workers voted on Thursday in favour of a new collective agreement with Coast Mountain Bus Company.
Representatives of 5,000 unionized transit workers — members of Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 — had hammered out a deal with the company in the early hours of Nov. 27 after 10 hours of talks, thereby avoiding a full-scale bus and SeaBus shutdown.
That is the deal that was voted on Thursday, with 84.3 per cent in favour of the three-year agreement.
“Unifor members worked together to make these historic gains,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president. “Metro Vancouver transit workers will see significant improvements to wages, benefits, and working conditions as a result of this new agreement.”
Highlights of the agreement include reducing the wage gap with Toronto’s transit operators, adjustments to achieve wage parity for CMBC skilled trades workers with SkyTrain skilled trades workers, and increases in a variety of benefits and shift premiums. For the first time, the contract sets out guaranteed minimum rest and recovery allowances of 45 minutes and stronger language designed to improve washroom-break access and facilities.
Transit operators and non-trades workers will receive a two per cent wage increase retroactive to April 1, a one per cent increase today, and a three per cent increase in each of the next two years. Conventional transit operators will see immediate wage gains of 98 cents per hour, a further $1.01 increase on April 1, 2020, and an additional $1.04 on April 1, 2021 for a total of $3.03 over the life of the three-year contract.
Skilled trades workers receive the same two per cent retroactive pay, an additional $1.95 per hour increase today to bring wages level with SkyTrain skilled trades workers, and two per cent in each of the next two years. Contract language ensures that CMBC skilled trades wages do not fall behind during the life of the agreement.
Limited job action began on Nov. 1 when mechanics refused to work overtime, and escalated on Nov. 14 with others refusing OT after talks collapsed. Some bus service and SeaBus sailings were cancelled.
The contract ratification vote took place from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., at the Aria Convention Centre in Surrey.
Bargaining between CUPE Local 7000, representing 900 SkyTrain workers, and the B.C. Rapid Transit Company is still underway. Those workers have voted in favour of a strike but have not issued strike notice.
Transit workers from Coast Mountain Bus Company locals 111 and 2200 vote whether to ratify a contract agreement, in Surrey, BC Thursday, December 5, 2019.