The shutdown of transit services in Duncan is about to break the record for the longest transit strike in B.C. history.
It has been 136 days since Transdev employees went on strike. The company operates bus and HandyDART services in the Cowichan Valley on behalf of BC Transit
“What this shows us is how shameful BC Transit, the municipality and the province are when it comes to being accountable to transit workers and to the public in helping to resolve this Transdev dispute,” says Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle.
“This is the fourth transit dispute in two years with over 400 combined days of lost transit services in these communities. It’s absolutely unacceptable.”
BACKGROUND: No talks planned as Cowichan transit strike drags on
In an emailed statement to Vista Radio, BC Transit says mediation is ongoing and it believes in the collective bargaining process.
“This labour dispute is between BC Transit’s contractor – Transdev Canada – and their unionized employees and we will update customers as more information becomes available. BC Transit is continuing to closely monitor the situation and sincerely apologizes to customers for the inconvenience caused by this matter,” the email says.
Forty-four transit operators, cleaners and mechanics represented by Unifor Local 114 and eight HandyDart operators from Unifor Local 333 have been off the job since Feb. 8 this year.
Wages and pensions are key issues as employees in the Cowichan Valley try to close the gap with transit workers in Victoria. Another concern is access to safe, clean washrooms and designated breaks for transit operators.
BC Transit says handyDART service deemed essential, such as appointments related to renal dialysis, cancer treatment and multiple sclerosis, continue to operate during the strike.
