Squamish and Whistler transit operators will begin “strike action” starting at 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29.
While the breadth of the job action remains unclear at this point, the union said it is necessary as BC Transit’s contractors “refuse to close the pay gap for Whistler-area transit operators,” said Unifor in a release on Jan. 28.
“We are prepared to negotiate but we cannot say the same for BC Transit’s contractors in Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s national president, in the release. “Without a fair offer to vote on, our members will take strike action. ”Strike
Local 114 represents more than 80 transit workers in the corridor who voted to strike in August 2021.
In that case, negotiations failed to produce a satisfactory offer from the employer, says Unifor. Wages, a lack of benefits coverage for nearly 40% of the unit, pension, and job security remain sticking points for the union.
“Transit workers in the Sea to Sky Corridor can barely afford to live in the communities they serve with pride,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor western regional director, in the release. “This strike is about job security and ensuring that compensation keeps up with the cost of living.”
McGarrigle said Squamish and Whistler transit workers make anywhere between $3 and $5 an hour less than their counterparts in Vancouver and Victoria.
“They somehow think that magically the cost of living has changed so much from Vancouver to Whistler and Squamish, when, if anything, it’s the other way around,” he told Pique Newsmagazine last week.
B.C. Transit operates the Squamish contract with Diversified Transit and the service for Whistler and Pemberton under contract to Whistler Transit LTD.
“BC Transit understands the frustration felt by customers, and that the job action is difficult for everyone involved in the region,” BC Transit said in a press release on Friday.
“BC Transit is the Provincial Crown Agency responsible for the delivery of transit services outside of Greater Vancouver. We contract the services of private operating companies to deliver these transit services. These companies hire and manage their own workforces. The labour dispute is between BC Transit’s contractors – Whistler Transit Ltd. and Diversified Transit – and their unionized employees. BC Transit is closely monitoring the situation and hopes the parties will find resolution soon.”
The company said the handyDART service in Squamish, which is deemed an essential service — for medical appointments, food, prescriptions and education — will operate with full-service hours on weekdays.
In the meantime, Squamish's top elected official said the municipality is keeping in close contact with BC Transit with respect to the labour dispute.
"We share in the frustration of our community’s transit riders as we know this will be inconvenient and potentially very difficult for individuals. We hope that the parties will continue their dialogue to find a resolution quickly. Please note that handyDART service is deemed an essential service and is therefore continuing on weekdays," said Mayor Karen Elliott in a written statement to The Chief.
"During the pandemic, we have asked the community many times to focus on kindness and helping others. This job action will impact the ability of essential workers to get to their jobs, people trying to get groceries and to appointments, and young people who use transit to get to school. Please reach out to your neighbours to ask for or offer help during this transit disruption.”
~With files from Pique Newsmagazine
***Updated Jan. 28, 11:13 a.m. with a quote from Squamish's mayor. Updated at 1:21 p.m. to include that the essential service of handyDART includes for medical appointments, food, prescriptions and education. Not all services are part of the essential service mandate, in other words.
