Three union chapters representing numerous transit workers in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria have given a 72-hour notice of a potential strike. Unifor has announced that transit operators in Local 111 and skilled-trade workers in Local 2200 will initiate a uniform ban on Monday, targeting the Coast Mountain Bus Company, with no immediate impact on service for commuters. Additionally, B.C. Transit employees in Victoria, represented by Local 333, will join the ban on the same day.

In Greater Victoria, the strike notice follows over a year of negotiations, culminating in a strong vote in favor of a strike by members in May. Meanwhile, negotiations and mediation efforts in Metro Vancouver have not led to a resolution.

Unifor’s western regional director, Gavin McGarrigle, emphasized the need to address various issues such as wages, working conditions, and privatization concerns. He stated that the union opted for this action as a response to what members perceive as inadequate responses from employers. The possibility of escalating the job action was also hinted at if the situation does not improve.

TransLink and the Coast Mountain Bus Company have not provided immediate comments on the matter. B.C. Transit, responsible for Victoria’s transit system, expressed disappointment at the strike notice despite their efforts to find a resolution. They assured that HandyDART service would remain unaffected and expressed their commitment to ongoing negotiations while acknowledging the potential inconvenience caused by the labor dispute.