Transit disruptions, job action continue in Metro Vancouver
Posted November 4, 2019 6:21 am.
Last Updated November 4, 2019 10:53 am.
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.
Good morning, everyone! We anticipate possible disruptions to bus and SeaBus service today. Please sign-up for Transit Alerts at https://t.co/8mM2JFOsQC or follow @TransLink on Twitter. ^CK
-SkyTrain (incl. Canada Line)
-bus
-SeaBus
-West Coast Express
-HandyDART— TransLink BC (@TransLink) November 4, 2019
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.
No new negotiations in the transit strike. Union warns disruptions will increase by the end of the week as maintenance refuses to work overtime. SeaBus sailings are again expected to be at a reduced frequency today. Listen for the latest on @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/2xvk9hv2yg
— Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) November 4, 2019
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