Fraser Valley bus union threatens ‘indefinite’ strike to begin Monday, First Transit responds – BC | 24CA News
Bus riders within the Fraser Valley space needs to be planning various transit preparations for his or her Monday commutes as First Transit employees are escalating their job motion.
First Transit staff, particularly bus drivers, have an “indefinite strike” deliberate as CUPE 561 and their employer has not been capable of attain a deal.
“HandyDART will operate at essential service levels for passengers requiring treatment for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and renal dialysis.
“If the job action goes ahead Monday, it will halt public buses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Hope and Agassiz-Harrison until a “fair deal is reached,” the union stated in a press release.
It would be the third strike for the union after it stated three days of negotiating didn’t carry a brand new collective settlement.
“CUPE 561 members, who work for First Transit, will commence a full walkout on Monday,” union employees stated
Union president, Jane Gibbons, described the total shutdown because of the employer’s unwillingness to budge on the desk.
“This employer has completely refused to meaningfully discuss the regional wage disparity and lack of a pension,” Gibbons stated.
“It’s gotten so bad that we’re left with no alternative but to shut down services.”
CUPE 561 is arguing its members are paid as much as 32 per cent lower than staff in Metro Vancouver.
First Transit stated it feels strongly that its provide given to the union is a “solid foundation for continued collective bargaining.”
“We are disappointed that CUPE Local 561 is choosing to withdraw transit service from the citizens of the Fraser Valley,” an organization spokesperson stated in an e mail.
“We feel strongly that our offer provides a solid foundation for continued collective bargaining, which has consistently been our goal.
“First Transit has reached six renewals in B.C. since the fall of 2021, which has allowed us to hire and retain skilled operators who have done great work serving their communities.”
First Transit stated it has proposed a five-year settlement, with complete wage will increase of as much as 16 per cent over 5 years.
“This wage proposal, if taken, would mean that members of CUPE Local 561 will have seen wage increases in aggregate of approximately 20 per cent since 2017,” the spokespersons stated.
“We have also proposed adding 15 full-time operator positions with benefits packages to the bargaining unit – increasing the full-time workforce serving the Fraser Valley.”
BC Transit, the crown company chargeable for transit within the province, contracts working corporations to ship companies in Metro Vancouver.
“We sincerely apologize for the difficult impact job action has on everyone. We’re closely monitoring and will update you as soon as we can,” it stated on Twitter.
The union additionally directs some blame at BC Transit as nicely.
“Given First Transit’s steadfast refusal to address the concerns of our members, it’s clear that BC Transit’s confidence in Transdev is grossly misplaced,” union employees stated.
“In our mind, BC Transit is abandoning the communities it is entrusted to serve. It is leaving our community and transit users at the mercy of a profit-driven foreign conglomerate with no connection to the Fraser Valley.”
Transdev is a worldwide company that not too long ago bought First Transit, the union stated.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
