Metro Vancouver transit workers, employer headed to mediated negotiation over contract dispute

Passengers board a bus in downtown Vancouver, Friday, November, 1, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Workers who drive, maintain, and operate Metro Vancouver’s buses and the SeaBus are returning to the table for mediated negotiation.

The two sides met on Monday and continued negotiations through the week, but failed to agree to anything without a mediator.

In a news release, Coast Mountain Bus Company says it “remains committed to reaching a fair agreement,” adding it won’t comment any further for now.

In a news release of its own, Unifor echoed the sentiment, stating the union “remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that reflects the value of the work its members perform.”

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Unifor says it will provide updates to both its members and the public.

This contract negotiation covers about 5,000 transit workers.