Kelowna transit workers say negotiations resuming ahead of planned strike
Unionized transit workers in Kelowna say they have been invited to resume negotiations with their employer on Tuesday, one day before a planned strike is scheduled to begin.
Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722 have been refusing overtime for several weeks as part of ongoing job action aimed at compelling BC Transit contractor First Transit Canada to fix what the union calls Kelowna's "broken transit system."
According to the ATU, the overtime ban has led to a 20-to-30-per-cent reduction in transit service in the Central Okanagan region, something the union says is "a direct result of how understaffed and underfunded the transit system is."
Earlier in the week, the union announced its plan to escalate to a full work stoppage on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
On Friday, it issued a brief statement saying that the strike threat had prompted First Transit to ask for one day of negotiation on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
"Although the union is not anticipating any change from the company's last offer, we will be meeting with them in the hope that we can reach an agreement without having to proceed with a strike," the statement reads.
Asked for comment, a First Transit spokesperson provided a statement to CTV News that read, in part:
"We are disappointed that ATU leadership would choose to withdraw service from the residents of Kelowna, rather than return to constructive negotiations at the bargaining table. First Transit has, in fact, reached out to ATU regarding their counter-offer, and we have been, and remain ready, to sit down and engage in constructive collective bargaining."
The company also said that its "service delivery rate" has been 88 per cent during the job actions taken so far.
"Our objective is to reach a collective agreement with ATU Local 1722 that benefits all stakeholders in the transit system, and we hope to do that through the collective bargaining process," First Transit said.
First Transit operates the regional system on behalf of BC Transit, which issued its own statement on the strike this week.
The provincial transit provider said it "understands the frustration" the labour situation has caused for customers and "sincerely apologizes" for the inconvenience the job action continues to cause.
"The labour dispute is between BC Transit’s contractor – First Transit – and their unionized employees," the Crown corporation said. "BC Transit is closely monitoring the situation and hopes the parties will find resolution soon."
BC Transit added that – if the strike goes forward – handyDART service will continue to be available "for customers requiring transportation to renal dialysis, cancer treatment, multiple sclerosis and other specialist appointments," as it has been deemed an essential service.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.