Canada Line workers are holding off on job action as negotiations continue Tuesday.
Talks continued late into the night on Monday, with both sides back at the bargaining table as of 9 a.m. this morning, said Stephanie Smith, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) in a tweet.
Members of the union were in a "legal strike position" as of 4 p.m. Monday, but are holding off on a job action as talks have been scheduled into the evening.
@bcgeu #CanadaLine members had a late night at the bargaining table & talks resume at 9am. #StillTalking #Solidarity #BCLab #BCPoli
— Stephanie Smith (@steph_smith303) February 2, 2021
TransLink was preparing to boost its bus capacity Monday afternoon if around 180 Canada Line workers kicked off job action.
The workers issued a 72-hour strike notice on Friday to Canada Line operator Protrans BC.
TransLink said on Monday that it’s preparing for a disruption to the Canada Line service, although it’s not clear from the union representing the workers what action will be taken first.
The transit authority said it will “closely monitor this situation as it develops” but is working with the Coast Mountain Bus Company to monitor customer volumes, with a view to increasing service on some existing routes, if necessary.
TransLink is asking its customers to use the Google Trip Planner or contact customer information for alternate bus routes. Customers can also phone customer information at 604-953-3333.
It should be noted that TransLink’s bus, Expo Line, Millennium Line and West Coast Express are unaffected and are providing regular service.
The union representing the Canada Line workers announced Friday that negotiations with the employer broke down.
The strike notice was issued to Canada Line operator Protrans BC after four days of mediation, according to the BCGEU, which said no significant progress was made on the key issues of wage parity with other SkyTrain workers, improved sick leave and contract length.
“This dispute is about frontline workers fighting for the respect and support they deserve,” said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU, in a statement.
“The bottom line is our members are demanding fair compensation, meaningful sick benefits and basic respect from their employer for the vital services they’ve provided to our communities, especially during the pandemic.”
The BCGEU represents about 180 Canada Line workers, who have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2019. Negotiations began in February 2020 and members voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action in November 2020.
The Canada Line is privately operated by Protrans BC, which is owned by SNC-Lavalin.
With files from Kirsten Clarke/Richmond News
