Transit disruptions, job action continue in Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Bus delays could be coming, as there were no talks over the weekend and no new negotiations are scheduled for Monday in Metro Vancouver’s transit disruption.

More sailings at the SeaBus terminal in North Vancouver have been cancelled today as a result of the continued job action by maintenance workers, bus and SeaBus operators.

As of 8 a.m., the 4:10 p.m., 6:20, and 7:30 sailings from North Vancouver have been cancelled for this afternoon, as well as the 4:25 p.m., 6:35 and 7:45 from Vancouver.

Working conditions, pay, and benefits are the main sticking points, with the union claiming Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) is failing to address issues, while CMBC argues its current offer is fair and includes wage increases of about 10 per cent over the next four years.

Unifor, which represents the workers, says most of the bus systems should be functioning Monday but cancelled SeaBus sailings will mean less frequent departures. Over the last few days, SeaBus sailings have been half-hourly at most.

A total of 16 sailings between Vancouver and North Vancouver were cut on Sunday.

The union says some routes may see bus cancellations by the end of the week, as maintenance backlogs pile up.

Talks broke off on Thursday, with job action launching on Friday morning. The first wave has operators refusing to wear uniforms and maintenance workers refusing overtime.

There are no new talks planned for Monday.

With files from Marcella Bernardo and Lisa Steacy

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