Road

VANCOUVER—Container truck drivers’ concerns are being ignored as the Port of Vancouver forces through a program to retire trucks arbitrarily, says Unifor.

“The program is a farce. Not only does it ignore the financial concerns of truck drivers, it exempts more than 98% of trucks on B.C.’s roads,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “It’s ‘greenwashing’ at its worst. The Port’s plan imposes massive costs on truckers and will have no real effect on emissions.”

The federal Ministry of Labour’s ongoing inspections to uncover violations of new laws to protect truck drivers are important for maintaining good wages and preventing fraud, says Unifor.

VANCOUVER—A ground-breaking Cost of Living Adjustment was a key factor for Unifor Local 114 members who voted today to ratify a new contract with PW Transit, effectively ending the longest transit strike in B.C. history.

“We were successful at closing an unacceptable wage inequality between transit workers in Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Local 114 members are eager to return to serving the communities of Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.”

VANCOUVER—After the latest rejection of the employer’s offer by the Unifor Local 114 membership, the parties have agreed to the province's appointment of Vince Ready as a special mediator.

“After two years of bargaining and failed sessions with a mediator, it’s clear a more structured process is necessary,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “We look forward to making submissions to the mediator about the high cost of living and wage disparities.”

VANCOUVER—The bargaining committee from Unifor Local 114 has signed a tentative agreement with B.C. Transit third-party contractor PW Transit during a mediated session of negotiations today.

VANCOUVER—B.C. Transit’s third-party contractor PW Transit failed to make enough progress on wage parity, resulting in a membership-driven rejection of Friday’s tentative agreement, says Unifor.

“Members have the final say in adopting the contract that governs their working conditions,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Clearly the employer fell short in closing the gap that exists between transit workers doing the same job in Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region.”

WHISTLER—Unifor and the employer have jointly agreed to resume negotiations with mediator Dave Schaub on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 to seek a resolution to the 14-week transit strike in the Sea to Sky corridor. 

“Transit workers have demonstrated incredible determination over the last three months,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “We will enter these new negotiations in good faith and will continue to bargain for fair compensation.”

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Recap: Your National bargaining committee came together in Toronto to begin negotiations with the company from April 4–8, 2022. We were able to sign off on some amount of non-monetary proposals, all monetary proposals remain unresolved. The employer took a very aggressive position in their opening few passes and the bargaining committee remains committed to fend off the concessions.