Metro Vancouver bus drivers union say they won't cross picket line in event of supervisors' strike

A potential strike by more than 180 transit supervisors seeking a new contract in British Columbia's Lower Mainland could have a major effect on commuters next week, with the bus drivers' union saying it would back such action.

Unions representing thousands of bus drivers and maintenance employees in Metro Vancouver wrote to members this month saying they are expected not to cross the picket line if there is a full strike by the supervisors.

CUPE Local 4500, which represents around 180 transit supervisors, has said it will be "withdrawing all services" on Monday if an agreement with employer Coast Mountain Bus Company isn't struck.

The union says its patience has "been exhausted" as it waits for the company to advance bargaining, and unless an agreement is reached all services, including the SeaBus, will be suspended by 3 a.m. on Jan. 22 for two days.

Unifor Locals 111 and 2200, which represent about 4,000 bus drivers and 1,100 skilled trades and support workers, said in aletter that they support the democratic bargaining process and the ability of unions to go on strike.

The letter,dated Jan. 5 one daybefore the transit supervisors started refusing overtime said members will also stop working in "acting"positions that are within CUPE's jurisdiction.

Coast Mountain president Michael McDaniel has said "a full shutdown of the SeaBus and bus system" is possible, and that the union is seeking an "unreasonable" wage increase.

Statistics provided by the company show the union is seeking a wage of increase of between 20 and 25 per cent for its employees.

Union representative Liam O'Neill has denied that the union is seeking a 25 per cent wage increase across the board, but that they are seeking parity with other professions in the Metro Vancouver transit system.

For its part, the employer says that the work done by CUPE Local 4500 transit supervisors is different from "field supervisors,"which the union is seeking wage parity with. It says that field supervisors directly manage employees, while transit supervisors help co-ordinate the smooth running of services.

The GreaterVancouverBoard of Trade says it's concerned about the economic impact of the transit dispute.

It says "the possible two-day transit shutdown would have significant ramifications on our local economy and negatively impact the lives of the hundreds of thousands of residents and workers who rely on transit to get to and from work."