Striking transit workers in Cowichan Valley, B.C., reject mediator’s recommendations

A striking HandyDART transit system worker walks a picket line in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

DUNCAN — The union representing striking transit workers in the Cowichan Valley says its members have rejected a provincial mediator’s recommendations to end a five-month labour dispute.

Unifor says the dispute involves 44 striking transit operators, cleaners, and mechanics with Unifor Local 114 as well as HandyDART workers with Local 333-BC.

They have been on strike for more than 21 weeks, and the union says in a news release that the dispute centres on wage disparities between Transdev workers and other B.C. transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver.

It says the union and the company had agreed to jointly apply to the labour minister for the appointment of a mediator in February.

Unifor says the mediator met with both sides on June 12, and issued its recommendations on June 30.

Transdev says it’s disappointed by the decision to reject a settlement proposal it says included “significant improvements” to working conditions and a pay offer exceeding “prevailing standards” across the region and province.

It says the proposal included a top-wage tier lift for conventional drivers of 16.42 per cent over four years and 18.85 per cent for HandyDART drivers.

“Under this rejected deal, a conventional driver starting in Cowichan today would earn $7.85 more per hour than in the publicly operated Victoria Transit System,” it says.

The company says it also included an increase in its pension plan and improvements to washroom facilities.

“Transdev Canada remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that supports its employees while safeguarding the continuity and reliability of this public mission,” it says in the statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025.