Horgan not looking to make transit essential service as strike action escalates
Posted November 21, 2019 1:39 pm.
Last Updated November 21, 2019 1:48 pm.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – Despite a looming shut down of the transit system by bus drivers and SeaBus workers next week – and now a strike vote by SkyTrain workers – Premier John Horgan says he isn’t looking at any solutions beyond bargaining.
“I appreciate I am broken record on this, but timing is everything when there’s a labour dispute in play, and I believe the time is now to let free collective bargaining run its course,” he says.
RELATED: SkyTrain workers vote to strike
Ppl have asked why transit is not an essential service — @jjhorgan says he agrees it is an absolute necessity to many people and says he knows he sounds like a broken record but he believes that bargaining is the solution. #bcpoli
— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) November 21, 2019
Horgan says he understands people are stressed about the strike, but he’s not considering making it an essential service and forcing workers to stay on the job.
“Whenever there’s a labour dispute is has an impact on the public, like transit,” he says. “That’s cold comfort when you reflect on how your are going to get around should there be a full-scale disruption in service – that’s not the case today.”
RELATED: Bus, SeaBus workers promise ‘complete system shutdown’ if no deal reached
SkyTrain workers voted to strike Nov. 21, but no strike notice has been issued, and no service disruptions are in sight. Bus drivers, SeaBus and maintenance workers will be moving to a full service disruption Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week.
