Transit workers in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island have issued a strike notice after negotiations with their employer, Transdev, failed to reach an agreement, Unifor announced Friday.
If a deal is not struck by the end of service on Feb. 7, transit services, including HandyDART and conventional buses, will come to a halt starting Feb. 8.
The dispute centres on wages, pensions, and working conditions, with concerns over rest breaks and access to adequate washroom facilities for drivers.
“Respect and dignity for transit drivers in Cowichan Valley comes first and foremost,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “Our members deserve rest breaks and opportunities to access clean and safe washroom facilities. This becomes a human rights issue.”
The union, which represents 44 bus drivers and maintenance workers with Local 114 and eight HandyDART operators with Local 333BC, has not yet scheduled further bargaining dates with the company but said it remains available for talks.
Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president, said workers are prepared to strike if necessary. “Strike action is not something we take lightly,” she said. “We want to resolve this dispute with the employer, but our members are prepared, if necessary.”
A full work stoppage would disrupt public transit in the region, affecting commuters who rely on HandyDART services and regular bus routes.
Unifor represents 21,000 road transportation workers nationwide, including 7,600 in urban transit.
