Transit workers in Vernon and Salmon Arm issue strike mandate
VERNON, B.C. — Unionized transit workers in Vernon and the Shuswap have voted 98.5 per cent in favour of job action if they can’t negotiate a fair collective agreement in the coming weeks.
Unifor Local 114 said wages and pensions are priorities in bargaining for workers at First Canada, a third party contractor for B.C Transit.
“As we saw in the Sea to Sky region, transit workers are determined to achieve collective agreements that reflect their contribution to local economies,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor western regional director.
The union added the longest transit strike in B.C.’s history, in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, took place earlier this year when another B.C. Transit contractor would not negotiate a modern agreement for transit workers.
