Photo: A TransLink bus in downtown Vancouver. Marc Bruxelle / Shutterstock.com
Coast Mountain Bus Company has condemned the latest decision by Unifor, the union representing bus operators and transit maintenance workers, to issue a complete service shutdown next week.
This morning, Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle announced at a new conference that union workers will proceed with a full system shutdown on Nov. 27 for three days.
CMBC responded to the announcement, stating that the union, "is leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without transportation" as well as refusing its historic offer.
“It is completely unacceptable our customers are being dragged into this dispute,” says CMBC President Michael McDaniel.
“Coast Mountain Bus Company is addressing the union’s complaints about working conditions as well as providing generous wage increases beyond what’s in other public sector settlements in British Columbia. The union is willing to disrupt lives of commuters to get the wages it wants.”
CMBC notes that it's offer includes guaranteed recovery time, which is extra time allotted to ensure operators can rest (in addition to break time), along with the following wage increases:
- The top annual wage for operators will increase by about $6,100 over the next four years, bringing their annual salary to $69,900
- The top annual wage for skilled trades will increase by about $10,000 over the next four years, bringing their annual salary to $88,000
As previously highlighted in other appearances, McGarrigle stated that TransLink executives are paid significantly more than in other systems, such as Toronto. Further, he reinforced that assaults on drivers have increased, yet working conditions have worsened due to overcrowding and congestion. He adds that TransLink also blames workers for service issues that are out of the transit operator’s control.
CMBC stated that, "the union’s wage demands equate to about $150-million more over ten years than CMBC has offered."
CMBC adds that accepting these demands could result in increases in fares, fees, and taxes or endanger plans for much needed service expansion. As such, it encourages the union to rethink its demands and return to bargaining.
