National

Transit strike drags on in Sea-to-Sky corridor

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2022 10:03 AM

WHISTLER, B.C. - Talks have collapsed between striking transit workers and their employer in the Sea-to-Sky region of B.C., with the two sides unable to agree on eventual wage parity.

Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle says in a statement that progress was being made during two days of negotiations before they ended late Thursday.

McGarrigle says talks broke off when the two private contractors bargaining on behalf of BC Transit rejected eventual wage parity with Metro Vancouver transit operators who make an average of $3 more per hour.

We appreciate the kudos from riders, but “thanks” isn’t enough from the employer. Local 114 members on strike in #Squamish #Whistler and #Pemberton. @BCTransit: stop dragging your heels and get funding to this region so transit workers can get back to serving their community. https://t.co/MaN5QQpvym
— Gavin McGarrigle (@gavinmcgarrigle) March 18, 2022

The Unifor statement says no future negotiating dates are scheduled.

More than 80 members of Unifor Local 114 went on strike Jan. 29, suspending BC Transit services in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.

The union says two years of bargaining leading up to the strike failed to make headway on demands including job security, benefits, or the wage parity issue.

Photo courtesy of Istock.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

652 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

British Columbia has recorded another 652 cases of COVID-19 and 2 related deaths, according to an update posted after officials announced new regional restrictions for part of the Lower Mainland. There has been an uptick in coronavirus hospitalizations to 316, up from 303 on Monday, with 141 patients in ICU.

652 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Long-term care residents need boosters: NACI

The committee recommends long-term care residents and people living in seniors' homes receive another shot of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine — like Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna — as long as it has been six months since their last shot.

Long-term care residents need boosters: NACI

Alleged COVID-19 violator could lose B.C. condo

A message left with his lawyer was not immediately returned and Movassaghi has not responded to the forfeiture action, but court documents show he has until mid-October to reply.

Alleged COVID-19 violator could lose B.C. condo

COVID-19 restrictions brought in for B.C. region

Organized events like weddings or conferences will be limited to 10 people, or 50 people outside, unless everyone is fully vaccinated, which can be verified on the province's vaccine passport.

COVID-19 restrictions brought in for B.C. region

Surrey Hospitals Foundation Appoints Harp Dhillon as New Board Chair

Harp is taking over the role from Ron Knight who is stepping down after 11 years serving as Board Chair since 2010. Harp has been on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2014 and served as the Vice-Chair for the past year.

Surrey Hospitals Foundation Appoints Harp Dhillon as New Board Chair

B.C. lays out plan to move away from fossil fuels

More than $50 million will be spent to attract industries to B.C. to run their businesses and reduce their carbon footprint by using hydroelectricity. Bruce Ralston, the province's minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, says the plan could lead to lower rates for BC Hydro customer rates, potentially by about 1.6 per cent by 2026.