Metro Vancouverites are bracing for the potential of a complete shutdown of bus and SeaBus services.
CUPE 4500 — the union that represents transit supervisors, including ones that oversee bus drivers and mechanics — may expand its current overtime work ban to "shutting down all bus services" starting at 3 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22.
The union has remained in a deadlock with its employer, Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), over wages and workload issues. The former is asking for wages commensurate with SkyTrain Field Supervisors, who it says do similar work. However, Coast Mountain argues that its transit supervisors aren't responsible for directly managing employees.
If the union moves forward with the bus strike, it will effectively shut down all services — and CMBC operates more than 96 per cent of TransLink's bus routes in Metro Vancouver.
A complete strike would commence in the wee hours of Monday morning and continue for 48 hours. Commuters would face a suspension of all buses and the SeaBus for the two-day withdrawal, according to a news release.
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade weighs in on Metro Vancouver bus strike
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBT) says it is "deeply concerned" about the possibility of the strike because it would have significant ramifications on the economy and "the hundreds of thousands of residents and workers who rely on transit to get to and from work."
“For many small businesses, such a significant transit disruption could make it difficult to keep the doors open if employees are unable to make it to and from work,” said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, in a news release.
The GVBT urges the province to support the union and CMBC in reaching a fair resolution to avoid impacting transit users. It also calls on the government to provide funding to "protect and enhance the growth of transit services" as the population rapidly grows.
According to the 2022 Transit Service Performance Review, TransLink provided 194 million trips making it "the fifth highest ridership of any Canadian or American metropolitan area despite having the 24th largest population," according to the GVBT.
Metro Vancouverites react to possible strike
The University of British Columbia (UBC) also released a statement regarding the looming bus strike, advising students that many of them may have to attend classes online. Since its campus won't close, students should look for communications from their instructor.
Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has also released a statement about the strike, advising people who have an in-person appointment scheduled with one of its advocates who will be unable to travel to contact them to reschedule or book a virtual appointment instead.
Local David Schreck took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his frustration in a post, remarking that "lots of folks may miss work, school, and appointments Monday and about 6,000 transit workers will miss pay as 180 supervisors strike for a 25% wage hike."
Instead of a complete shutdown, Danielle Grouette suggested that bus drivers continue to work but let people on for free "to stick it to" the employer.
"The strike [in another city that had one] was over quickly. And civilians didn't have to suffer," she said.
Other people say a bus strike simply should not "be allowed to happen."
