Province Prepared To Appoint Special Mediator In Transit Strike

B.C.’s labour minister, Harry Bains, is talking about bringing a mediator in to quickly end the Metro Vancouver transit strike.

“We are talking to both parties now and make sure that they agree with a special mediator, because it is always important that the parties agree to the mediation, agree to a special mediator, agree with the process,” said Bains. 

“Otherwise, it makes no sense to bring both parties together.”

About 180 transit workers started a 48 hour strike on Monday.

Meanwhile, the strike by transit workers in Campbell River and the Comox Valley is into its sixth week, with bargaining back on the table.

There was word that at least two days of negotiations were scheduled for this week.

Unifor Local 114 members at PWTransit walked off the job on December 15th - they have been without a contract since March.

The union says insufficient wages have created recruitment and retention issues. The inability to attract and retain drivers has led to an overreliance on overtime, forcing both safety concerns and work-life balance problems as drivers are forced to work extra hours.

PWT is contracted by BC Transit to provide services in Campbell River and Comox Valley.

The 75 Unifor Local 114 members work as transit operators, mechanics, and cleaner - and HandyDART operators - which is still running as an essential service.