Striking transit workers in the Cowichan Valley remain on the picket line after turning down a contract offer from Transdev, the operator of transit services in the valley.
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle says the proposed deal was reached during mediation last week, but the vote to reject it was overwhelming, clearly showing the wage gap between transit workers in the Cowichan Valley and those in Victoria is “completely unacceptable to almost the entire workforce.”
McGarrigle says BC Transit and Transdev need to find a way to address the workers concerns.
He also says they want the province to announce details about a review of private transit delivery that was promised during fall election.
Unifor Local 114 represents 44 transit operators, cleaners and mechanics, and Local 333 BC represents eight handyDART accessible transit operators that have been on strike since early February.
Transdev operates bus and handyDART services on behalf of BC Transit in communities around the province.