Victoria transit workers will be back on overtime shifts Saturday as their union and BC Transit move toward mediation in a contract dispute that has stretched on for 17 months. Unifor Local 333 President Stephen Bains says the overtime ban imposed by members Sept. 1 will be lifted as of Sept. 5 and while mediation is underway. Unifor Local 333 and BC Transit have agreed to enter mediation, according to a statement from BC Transit Friday. The move could provide some relief for transit riders just days before students return to school across Greater Victoria. “Quite honestly, we don’t want to leave our passengers stranded. We know kids are going back to school. We want to be there for them because they put a smile on our face and that’s how we connect communities,” Bains told CTV News. BC Transit is encouraging customers to continue to visit its service alerts page for the most up-to-date service information. The bargaining process relates to conventional transit operations only and does not involve Victoria handyDART service, according to BC Transit. But the end of the overtime ban does not mean the contract dispute is over. The union and employer have agreed to mediation, although mediation dates have not yet been determined. “The realistic path, I think, depends on whether or not the employer and the province are prepared to fund the front lines,” he said. BC Transit said it continues to work toward a fair agreement that balances the needs of employees, customers and the long-term sustainability of transit service. As this is an active labour matter, the organization is unable to provide further comment at this time, BC Transit said. What the union is fighting for Working conditions, scheduling and wages remain key issues at the bargaining table. Bains says transit operators need more realistic run and recovery times, particularly at the end of routes. “When we get to the end of the line, we need sufficient time to use the bathroom and to eat a meal,” he said. The union says better schedules would benefit riders as well as employees. “What we’re looking for is schedules that work for the passengers, schedules that they can rely on,” Bains said. “And likewise, those need to be schedules that our operators can rely on.” Wages are another major point of contention. Bains says the starting wage for Victoria transit operators is about $25 an hour, with a five-year progression period. He says the wage gap between Victoria and Vancouver transit workers has also continued to grow. For mechanics, he estimates the difference is currently about $6 to $7 an hour. Bains argues those differences need to be addressed as the transit industry changes. But he says the dispute is ultimately about the future of the system, not simply the people who work in it. “Our members are in dismay that such a pivotal public service can be left overlooked for this long,” he said. “And this just isn’t about the drivers. It’s about the passengers. It’s about a resilient transit system that continues to be sustainable well into the future.” A fragile system The union’s overtime ban was intended to put pressure on the employer during negotiations. “Our overtime ban in itself just displayed how fragile the system is in Victoria,” he said. He says the union is prepared to continue working toward a settlement but wants the employer to come to mediation ready to make meaningful progress. “Both parties are looking for a fair deal and are willing to participate in mediation,” Bains said. Whether that leads to an agreement remains to be seen. Labour Day message The dispute comes as workers across B.C. and Canada mark Labour Day weekend. For Bains, the issues facing his members reflect broader concerns about wages, working conditions and the strength of the labour movement. “At the end of the day, we need good working conditions, we need thriving wages,” he said. Bains also says ongoing Canada-U.S. trade tensions and tariffs have reinforced the need to protect Canadian jobs and build robust industries. “To me, as a transit operator, it’s not just about the jobs themselves,” he said. “It’s about the industries we need to fund front lines and ensure that we have resilient industries that are not susceptible to a tariff alone.” He says Unifor is working with governments while pushing them to do more to protect workers. His message this Labour Day is one of solidarity, whether someone belongs to a union or not. “Within your ranks and across this country, there are advocates that are fighting for you,” Bains said. “One day longer and one day stronger.” And with students heading back to school Tuesday, he says transit workers are ready to be there. “Your bus drivers will be there for all the kids returning to school,” Bains said. “We look forward to seeing you on board and hopefully this dispute is over soon.”
