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WHISTLER—Negotiations in the Sea to Sky region transit dispute came to a halt this evening after the employer refused to agree to any plans for eventual wage parity with Metro Vancouver transit operators.
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and senior staff joined the talks today to end the 48-day transit strike covering Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.
“Progress was made but there must be a roadmap to wage parity,” said McGarrigle, referring to the massive gap between the corridor’s transit workers and those in Metro Vancouver.
The company’s proposal does not allow union members on strike to reach wage parity by the end of the agreement. It remains the sole outstanding point in negotiations.
More than 80 transit workers in the region have been on strike since January 29, 2022. The workers help thousands of residents move throughout the area, including hospitality staff serving the luxury resort of Whistler Blackcomb.
“Wealthy families come from around the globe to Whistler, where transit workers can barely afford to make ends meet,” said McGarrigle. “Our goal for the next collective agreement has been transparent from the start: transit workers should be able to afford to live in the region they serve.”
There are no future negotiating dates scheduled with the company.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
