Metro Vancouver transit operators to take strike vote

Bus drivers, SeaBus workers and other Metro Vancouver transit operators are taking a strike vote after the collapse of contract talks, according to Unifor, the union representing 4,700 transit workers.

The strike voteis scheduled for April 28.

"Drivers deserve fair wages and working conditions so to demand bus drivers take concessions when they have some of the toughest jobs around is simply insulting," saidUnifor Local 111 president Nathan Woods.

The union says talks began,Feb. 17, and broke off April 6 afterCoast Mountain Bus Company,a TransLink subsidiary, "continued to demand concessions and refused to table a fair wage offer."

Woods says wages, benefits and working conditions are key issues atthe bargaining table, as well as concerns about contracting out of service workers and maintenance staff.

Wages for transit operators currently start at $19.57 an hourand top out at $30.91 within two years of employment, which Woods said is a lower wage than other workers in similar positions in B.C.

The vote affects bus drivers,mechanics, SeaBusoperators as well asmaintenance and other supportworkers.

"We can still get an agreement without any service disruption if CMBC comes back to the table with a fair wage increase and without unfair concession demands," Woods said.

The Coast Mountain Bus Company says it has been"working hard" with the unions to renew the collective agreement.

The company said it would not be commenting any further in order to "protect the integrity of the process."

Any potential strike action would not affect SkyTrainservice.

The last transit operators strike in Vancouver was in 2001. It lasted four months.