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

Charge stayed in 2009 worker's death in B.C.

The B.C. Prosecution Service says in a statement it recently determined the available evidence no longer satisfies the charge assessment standard for a prosecution to continue.

Charge stayed in 2009 worker's death in B.C.

Survey examines hesitancy in early vaccine rollout

The survey asked more than 14,500 Canadians online between December 2020 and February 2021 if they intended to get vaccinated once they were eligible, with researchers identifying differences in participants by age, education, ethnicity, and home province.

Survey examines hesitancy in early vaccine rollout

B.C.'s top doctor says vaccination protects kids

Dr. Bonnie Henry says about 600,000 kids in that age range are not eligible for vaccination in B.C., and rising cases in the United States are directly linked to low immunization rates in the community.

B.C.'s top doctor says vaccination protects kids

655 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said that there are 6,045 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. Of the active cases, 187 individuals are currently hospitalized, 103 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

655 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Overdose deaths in B.C. top 1,000 in six months

The coroner says in a statement the powerful opioid fentanyl was involved in 85 per cent of deaths. Lapointe says the data released today highlights the immensity of the public health emergency.

Overdose deaths in B.C. top 1,000 in six months

B.C. wildfires drop to 225 as weather cools

Emergency Management BC says there were 21 evacuation orders covering 3,754 properties as of Monday evening, a drop from 3,927 properties the day before.