The transit strike in Metro Vancouver involved over 180 workers from the Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), including transit supervisors, engineers, and maintenance staff. The strike, which lasted for 48 hours from January 22 to January 24, 2024, significantly disrupted bus and SeaBus services across the region. The main issue behind the strike was a dispute over wages and working conditions, with the union seeking better terms in their new collective agreement. Although the strike ended and services resumed, the underlying issues remain unresolved, and further job actions could occur if an agreement isn’t reached.
Union seeking better terms
The union, CUPE 4500, is seeking a wage increase of 20% to 25% over the three-year duration of the new contract. This demand is based on achieving wage parity with other similar roles within the Metro Vancouver transit system. Specifically, they are advocating for transit supervisors to receive a 25% wage increase, which would bring their salaries to between $115,477 and $141,606 after three years. Currently supervisors earn around $92,400. Supervisors of mechanics and other trades are also seeking similar increases to ensure their pay reflects the responsibilities and skills required for their roles.
The union argues that these increases are necessary to keep up with the rising cost of living and to recognize the essential nature of their work. However, the employer, Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), has countered with a lower offer, proposing wage increases ranging from 13.5% to 24.5% over three years.
CUPE 4500 is also advocating for several improvements in working conditions. They are seeking better safety measures to ensure a safer work environment for all employees. Additionally, they want more reasonable working hours, which includes guaranteed breaks and sufficient recovery time between shifts to prevent burnout and ensure that workers are well-rested. Enhanced job security is also a key demand, aiming to provide more stability and assurance for the workers in their roles. These demands are driven by the need to create a more sustainable and supportive work environment, which the union believes is essential for maintaining high standards of service and employee well-being.
Transit Strike Vancouver – Affecting commuters and CMBC
The Vancouver transit strike affected around 300,000 daily commuters. With buses and SeaBus services halted for 48 hours, many people faced significant challenges in getting around the city. Some had to resort to ride-hailing services, taxis or car-sharing options. Which often came with surges in pricing and longer wait times.
Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) is the largest operating company within the TransLink enterprise, serving Metro Vancouver, the largest single transit service area in Canada. CMBC operates over 96% of the region’s bus services, including a fleet of clean-fuel conventional buses and zero-emission trolley buses. They also manage the SeaBus passenger ferry service across Burrard Inlet.
CMBC’s operations cover a vast area, delivering nearly 107 million service kilometers annually within a 1,800 square kilometer service area. The company operates approximately 5.5 million conventional transit service hours each year and conducts over 49,000 SeaBus ferry trips annually and thus also having a big impact on everyday commuters during the Vancouver transit strike. Their network includes over 8,360 bus stops, 320 kilometers of trolley lines, and 100 bus exchanges and Park & Rides.The company employs nearly 6,000 people, most of whom are bus operators. Employees are spread across six transit centers (bus depots), two SeaBus terminals, and various offices in Surrey, New Westminster, and Vancouver.
CMBC’s response to the strike
The Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) responded to the Vancouver transit strike by prioritizing the resumption of services as soon as the strike ended, with regular bus and SeaBus services resuming early Wednesday morning. The provincial government appointed a mediator, Vince Ready, to assist in the negotiations between CMBC and the union to prevent further disruptions. Throughout the process, CMBC kept the public informed via their website and social media, updating them on the status of the strike and the efforts being made to restore services. They engaged in negotiations with the union, CUPE Local 4500, aiming to address their concerns and reach a fair agreement. But at the end CMBC and the union agreed to continue discussions and follow the mediator’s recommendations to avoid future strikes. The comprehensive approach was designed to minimize the impact on commuters and ensure a swift return to normal transit operations.
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