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CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Striking transit workers in Cowichan Valley, B.C., reject mediator's recommendations
DUNCAN — The union representing striking transit workers in the Cowichan Valley says its members have rejected a provincial mediator's recommendations to end a five-month labour dispute. Unifor says the dispute involves 44 striking transit operators, cleaners, and mechanics with Unifor Local 114 as well as HandyDART workers with Local 333-BC. They have been on strike for more than 21 weeks, and the union says in a news release that the dispute centres on wage disparities between Transdev workers and other B.C. transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver. It says the union and the company had agreed to jointly apply to the labour minister for the appointment of a mediator in February. Unifor says the mediator met with both sides on June 12, and issued its recommendations on June 30. Transdev says it's disappointed by the decision to reject a settlement proposal it says included 'significant improvements' to working conditions and a pay offer exceeding 'prevailing standards' across the region and province. It says the proposal included a top-wage tier lift for conventional drivers of 16.42 per cent over four years and 18.85 per cent for HandyDART drivers. 'Under this rejected deal, a conventional driver starting in Cowichan today would earn $7.85 more per hour than in the publicly operated Victoria Transit System,' it says. The company says it also included an increase in its pension plan and improvements to washroom facilities. 'Transdev Canada remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that supports its employees while safeguarding the continuity and reliability of this public mission,' it says in the statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025.
CBC
05-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Striking Vancouver Island transit workers to vote on mediator recommendations this weekend
Social Sharing Transit workers who have been on strike for months in British Columbia's Cowichan Valley are scheduled to vote Sunday on a list of recommendations issued by a provincially-appointed mediator. The strike, which began on Feb. 8 and is the longest transit contract dispute in the province's history, affects about 50 regular and HandyDART bus drivers, maintenance workers and cleaners in the region north of Victoria. Unifor, the union representing the workers, said the mediator delivered his report on Monday, and the workers were offered a copy on Tuesday. "They're disappointed," Unifor national representative Gavin Davies told CBC News. "They don't feel that the recommendations went far enough." Cowichan Valley commuters frustrated as transit strike drags on 1 month ago Duration 2:00 Weeks to get rolling Davies said the workers' primary issues are wages, breaks, and bathroom access for drivers. But he emphasized that the vote will be the real test of how workers feel about the recommendations. If the workers ratify the recommendations, Davies said, it could still take two or three weeks before buses get rolling because they would need to be recertified as commercial vehicles. Bus service has long been a problem on the island, and it's even more challenging now. We catch you up on the strike at Cowichan Valley Transit, and the cancellation of a bus route from Ucluelet and Tofino to Port Alberni. Plus, we try to find out if - or when - things might improve. If the workers vote against the recommendations, Davies said, the workers could go to binding arbitration or be mandated to return to work by the province. The employer and transit operator Transdev, a private company contracted by B.C. Transit, told CBC News in a written statement that it "remains committed to reaching a sustainable resolution and resuming reliable service for our riders and the Cowichan Valley community." 45 kilometres of coverage The strike has created challenges for many people in the region of about 90,000 residents. The Cowichan Valley transit system covers more than 45 kilometres, north to south. Service providers and elected officials have said it's the community's most vulnerable who are bearing the brunt of the strike. Negotiators for Unifor locals 114 and 333 reached a deal with Transdev in April, but it was voted down by members. In May, the mayor of North Cowichan said it was time for the province to step up and help end the transit strike in his region. On June 10, B.C. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside appointed a mediator, Dave Schaub, and called on both sides to work with him.
Global News
20-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
BC NDP dragging heels on pledge to end privatization of HandyDART, union says
The union representing HandyDART drivers is voicing frustration with delays in a decision on whether to end privatization of the service. HandyDART, a door-to-door shared ride service for people with mobility issues and other complex needs, is currently operated by French for-profit contractor TransDev. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, which represents about 600 workers, says the BC NDP promised to bring the service back into government before the last provincial election. 5:38 HandyDART union votes in favour of job action 'David Eby made a promise to end privatization of HandyDart, and we'd like to see him follow through with that promise,' union president Joe McCann said. Story continues below advertisement 'So far there has been a lot of empty promises, a lot of delays.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy About 30,000 people rely on HandyDART, but a group representing riders says the quality of service has declined, and they feel like their voices aren't heard with it in the hands of private operators. 'It's a crapshoot trying to get through to the call centre, book a ride if you can seven days in advance — I don't know how anyone can run their life seven days ahead,' said Beth McKellar, co-founder of the HandyDART Riders' Alliance. 'I strongly believe if it is brought in-house, there is more accountability.' The union says HandyDART has become increasingly reliant on subcontracting out to taxis, which now account for about a quarter of rides, up from seven per cent. 'When you're waiting for public transit, you expect public transit. Our drivers are trained, well-trained,' McCann said. 'Taxi drivers aren't trained to that standard. And they have a different business model. They need to hustle. And get to the next client.' Asked about plans for the service Thursday, Premier David Eby was non-committal. 'The focus of our government has been ensuring we're bringing the most vulnerable along, but the group of people that really feels pressure has expanded, it includes the middle class, and concerns around housing and health care and safe communities, which are the focus of our government,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 1:59 Concerns raised over HandyDART service shift to taxis TransDev's current contract expires in 2026. TransLink was expected to announce a decision on HandyDART's future next week, but the move has been delayed yet again for further review. 'They're hiring more consultants, going to have more reviews, and I wonder how many millions of dollars are being wasted that could've been sent directly into HandyDART,' McCann said. Data shows HandyDART ridership grew six per cent last year, and that number is expected to continue climbing as B.C.'s population ages. TransLink says most trips are completed on time. But riders like McKellar believe something needs to change. 'None of us are getting any younger. A lot of people are born with disabilities and they need to get around and whatnot, and the service just won't be there,' she said.
