SkyTrain contract talks go off the rails
SkyTrain workers who operate and maintain the Expo and Millennium lines are considering next steps after contract talks broke off between their union and the B.C. Rapid Transit Company.
However, in an attempt to reassure transit users already dealing with SeaBus and bus disruptions caused by striking workers, CUPE 7000 president Tony Rebelo said there are no plans for job action by the 900 SkyTrain attendants, control operators, administration, maintenance and technical staff.
“It’s business as usual. Our members are coming to work, loving their jobs, and are proud of what they do, but at this time there is no job action whatsoever and no disruptions,” said Rebelo. “We want to keep everyone at ease that yes, talks have broken down, but our main goal is still to get a deal done without disrupting any type of service.”
Rebelo said the union has meetings scheduled with its membership for this week and early next week, at which time it will present the company’s offer.
No further talks have been scheduled with the company.
Canada Line workers aren’t involved in this process.
They’re represented by the BCGEU and their contract expires on Dec. 31. Negotiations with their employer, Protrans B.C., which operates Canada Line, haven’t yet started.
West Coast Express is also unaffected.
In a statement, B.C. Rapid Transit Company president Michel Ladrak said his company, a TransLink operating arm, is committed to the bargaining process and has suggested mediation to deal with the current issues.
“The offer we have put forward aligns with public sector settlements in British Columbia today,” Ladrak said. “We are open to further discussing what has been offered and urge the union to continue negotiating with us.”
Rebelo said there are a number of issues on which the company and union differ, most notably wages and staffing.
The company has offered a two per cent wage increase per year, which is what B.C. government employees have agreed to, but Rebelo said SkyTrain employees feel they aren’t part of that provincial mandate.
Rebelo said staffing has been a long-standing issue in the operations department, which includes attendants and control operators.
“We need more boots on the ground, especially out in the public,” Rebelo said. “The company keeps talking about having a safe and reliable system, but then misses the boat on the staffing levels.”
Forced overtime and sick leave are also part of discussions.
The contract for SkyTrain workers expired on Aug. 31, and the two sides have been in bargaining since the beginning of May.
On Wednesday, bargaining resumed between Unifor and Coast Mountain Bus Company, the TransLink company that runs buses and Sea Buses, after almost two weeks of a strike that has consisted of bus drivers refusing to wear their uniforms and maintenance workers refusing to work overtime.
“We certainly hope the company has changed their position significantly so that we can address the outstanding issues. We said yesterday that we’re pretty skeptical of their motives, but we’re prepared to work very hard at the bargaining table and see what we can do to get a fair deal for our members and ultimately the public,” said Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle.
If a deal isn’t reached, that strike action will escalate on Friday with a one-day overtime ban for bus drivers. Drivers have already been instructed to refuse overtime shifts for that day. The union has estimated that 10-15 per cent of bus service would be taken offline if drivers refuse to work overtime.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there had been 136 SeaBus sailing cancellations since the strike began on Nov. 1, and last Friday, frequency was reduced on 25 bus routes during the morning rush because of the overtime ban by maintenance workers.
Wages and working conditions for bus drivers are the major issues at bargaining.
In an emailed statement, Coast Mountain Bus Company president Mike McDaniel said on Wednesday that he’s optimistic the two sides will find common ground and work toward a satisfactory agreement. He said Coast Mountain is open to improving its overall proposal, including what it has already offered for working conditions.
“The message we’ve heard from our customers and employees is abundantly clear, they want both parties to find a solution which brings an end to job action,” McDaniel said.
“We know that compromise by both sides will be necessary to reach a deal. Further job action will continue to disrupt service and affect tens of thousands of transit users.”
Bargaining is also underway for Coast Mountain Bus Company’s operational, scheduling and administrative workers, and TransLink office workers, including clerks, assistants, administrators, co-ordinators, technicians and analysts. They’re represented by MoveUp Local 378 and their contracts expired on March 31.
The Amalgamated Transit Union 134, which represents 155 West Vancouver Blue Bus shuttle and bus drivers, mechanics and service workers, is expected to begin bargaining with the District of West Vancouver this month.