SeaBus to lose sailings due to job action

Expect delays if you plan on heading to the North Shore using the SeaBus.

That’s because of the ban on overtime that’s part of the limited job action the union representing thousands of transit workers will commence as of Friday morning following the breakdown of contract talks.

Unifor Local 2200 president Mike Smith told the Optimist the morning rush hour won’t be impacted and will have all its sailings, but the number of sailings starting in the afternoon will be reduced from three to two because of the requirement for certain employees to use overtime in order to have all the sailings running.

Talks between the two sides broke down earlier today with relief breaks for drivers being one of the key unresolved issues, he said. Wages, meantime, haven’t even been addressed.

In addition to the overtime ban, drivers won’t be wearing their uniforms but Smith noted an escalation in job action is also being planned.   

Transit workers earlier this month voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action.

Unifor locals 2200 and 111 had been negotiating with the Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, for several months.

According to Unifor, TransLink has “normalized overtime” which means any withdrawal of service will cause disruptions.

Further contract talks have not been scheduled, said Smith.