Canada Line workers seeking their first collective agreement voted 95 per cent in favour of a mandate allowing them to strike in hopes of negotiating a deal with their employer Wednesday.
The 180 workers, who are members of the British Columbia Government and Workers Union, have been trying to reach an agreement with ProTrans BC -- a company contracted by TransLink to operate the Canada Line -- for a year and a half.
"Discussions have reached the point where the bargaining committee wanted to send a strong message to the employer," said union spokesman Brian Gardiner.
While no job action is planned, Gardiner hopes the vote to strike will jump-start negotiations within two to three weeks.
Jason Chan, spokesperson for ProTrans BC, couldn't give a timeframe for the talks to begin but said the company is committed to arranging future sessions with a mediator.
"Every negotiation is unique and both sides have spent a lot of time, energy and commitment going through the details," he said. "We hope an agreement can be reached with the employees."
Canada Line workers include station and train attendants, maintenance crews and control operations personnel.
"Right now, we have no intention of work disruptions and no intentions of anyone going off the job," Gardiner said.
