Transit Workers in Metro Vancouver and Victoria Issue Strike Notices

Three union divisions representing numerous transit employees in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria have issued strike notifications with a 72-hour notice period. Unifor announced that transit operators in Local 111 and skilled-trade workers in Local 2200 will commence a uniform ban on Monday following the strike warning to the Coast Mountain Bus Company, with no disruption in service for passengers. Another notice indicates that B.C. Transit workers in Victoria, represented by Local 333, will also participate in the uniform ban starting Monday. In Greater Victoria, this action follows over a year of negotiations and member approval for a strike in May. Despite months of negotiation and mediation in Metro Vancouver, a settlement was not reached. Unifor’s western regional director, Gavin McGarrigle, stated that the decision to take action was made due to unresolved issues regarding wages, working conditions, and the lack of response from employers. TransLink and the Coast Mountain Bus Company have not yet provided a response to the situation. B.C. Transit expressed disappointment at the strike notice despite efforts to find a resolution, emphasizing that HandyDART service will not be affected. The organization affirmed its commitment to ongoing discussions while expressing regret for any inconvenience caused by the labor dispute.