There is no end in sight to the job action of bus operations supervisors for Metro Vancouver’s public transit system.
Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) says the union representing 180 bus operations supervisors is asking for a 25% wage increase for their members over three years.
During a press conference this morning, CMBC spokesperson Mike Killeen said the union’s expectations for the wage increase are “not realistic,” and that this is the “sticking point” in the negotiations.
Welp, then I guess it won’t be only the cold temps and ice that’ll be stopping the buses… it will be CMBC’s cold feet.
Later this week is going to be fun if the supervisors don’t work overtime in response to weather events. Get them a fair deal now.
It’s kind of weird how the cost of fuel could double tomorrow and they’d likely have no issues paying for it, but the cost of labour increasing is always contentious.
Just because other unions accepted it doesn’t mean it’s a fair offer. If it doesn’t match cost of living increases then it’s not a realistic increase because it’s not an increase.
Given that there is such a perpetual shortage of drivers, I would say the pay is too low. They currently make about $22-32/hr, and working conditions have only gotten more demanding.
