Metro Vancouver transit workers, employer reach tentative agreement

Downtown Vancouver is pictured in the background as a translink SeaBus leaves North Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Transit workers in Metro Vancouver reached a tentative agreement on Monday that will “increase wages, working conditions, and benefits,” according to the employer.

The more than 5,000 workers affected by this deal drive, maintain, and operate Metro Vancouver’s buses and the SeaBus and are represented by Unifor Locals 111 and 2200.

On June 5, the union and the employer, Coast Mountain Bus Company, announced they were heading to mediated negotiations, with both sides saying they were committed to reaching an agreement. This came about a week after members of the two Unifor locals gave a 99 per cent strike mandate.

“We thank the bargaining committees, Unifor members, and all CMBC employees for their efforts during the process. The agreement will go through a ratification process in the coming weeks before becoming final,” the employer said in a statement.

A Monday afternoon news release from the union explains that specifics of the deal won’t be released to the public until members have a chance to vote.