TransLink is the regional public transportation system that serves Metro Vancouver, a metropolitan area in British Columbia, Canada. It operates buses, SkyTrains, SeaBuses, West Coast Express, HandyDART, and other services. About one million people use TransLink every day to get around the region.
However, TransLink is facing a potential strike by 180 supervisors of its bus and SeaBus services, who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 4500. The workers are demanding better pay and working conditions from TransLink, which they claim are not keeping up with inflation and rising costs.
The strike action could start as early as Monday, January 22, if no agreement is reached by 3 a.m. on that day. This would result in a full shutdown of TransLink’s bus and SeaBus services for at least 48 hours—until at least Wednesday morning.
Why is this strike important for Metro Vancouver?
The strike could have significant impacts on Metro Vancouver’s economy and commuters. According to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBT), a business group representing more than 1,000 companies in the region, “the importance of our regional public transportation system cannot be overstated. For many small businesses, such a significant transit disruption could make it difficult to keep the doors open if employees are unable to make it to and from work.”
The GVBT also warned that “the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 has been severe for many businesses in our region” and that “a transit strike would add more pressure to an already fragile recovery.”
The strike could also affect commuters who rely on public transit to travel within or outside Metro Vancouver. According to TransLink’s website
A full shutdown of bus and SeaBus services would mean that commuters would have to rely on alternative modes of transportation, such as driving cars or motorcycles. This could cause traffic congestion, road accidents, air pollution, noise pollution, and stress for drivers.
How can people prepare for a possible strike?
TransLink has advised passengers to plan for their travel needs during the possible strike. Some of the tips include:
- Check TransLink’s website or app regularly for updates on service status.
- Use other modes of transportation, such as the SkyTrain Expo Line or Millennium Line, if available.
- Consider carpooling or using ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft.
- Avoid driving during peak hours, or use alternative routes.
- Plan for your commute time and budget.
- Be flexible with your travel plans.
TransLink has also offered some concessions to its workers in previous negotiations. For example:
- In 2019, TransLink agreed to increase wages by an average of $2 per hour over three years, starting in July 2019.
- In 2018, TransLink agreed to extend contract terms by two years until June 2020.
- In 2017, TransLink agreed to restore full-time positions that were cut in previous rounds of layoffs.
However, these agreements did not address all the issues raised by the workers’ union. The union has argued that:
- The current contract expires on June 30th of this year.
- The union has made several proposals to improve wages and benefits, such as indexing them to inflation or productivity measures.
- The union has also asked for more job security guarantees, such as no layoffs without cause or consultation.
- The union has demanded more respect from management, such as recognition of their role in providing essential services.
What are the prospects for resolving the dispute?
The dispute between TransLink and its workers is ongoing as of January 22nd. The last round of talks took place on Saturday with veteran mediator Vince Ready. However, no breakthrough has been achieved so far.
The union has indicated that it will escalate its job action if no agreement is reached by Monday morning. This means that it could launch more strikes or work-to-rule actions, such as refusing overtime or extra duties.
The provincial government has said that it will not intervene in the negotiations unless there is a threat to public safety or health. However, it has also expressed its support for finding a fair resolution while avoiding impacts on transit users.
The outcome of this dispute will have implications for both sides, as well as for Metro Vancouver’s economy and commuters. It will also affect how people view public transit in general: whether they see it as a vital service that deserves adequate funding and support, or whether they see it as an outdated system that needs radical changes or alternatives.
