Mediator appointed to resolve 'incredibly challenging' Fraser Valley bus strike
The British Columbia government has appointed veteran mediator Vince Ready to help resolve what it says is an “incredibly challenging” bus strike in the Fraser Valley.
CUPE Local 561 has been on strike since March, and Labour Minister Harry Bains says the prolonged absence of bus service from Abbotsford and Mission to Chilliwack and Hope has had real impacts on residents.
The minister says Ready is a well-regarded mediator in both the public and private sector and will help settle the terms of an agreement between the union and bus operator First Transit, a private company that has been contracted to run the service.
Bains says Ready will have up to 10 days to bring the sides together and come to terms of an agreement, but if one can't be reached in that time, Ready can issue recommendations on how to end the strike.
In a statement issued by the minister on Thursday, Bains says both sides will have five days to accept or reject Ready's recommendations should they fail to resolve the strike.
Bains says it's important for both sides to work toward a deal at the bargaining table to end the months-long strike, which has been stalled over benefits and the union's request for wages closer to their counterparts in Metro Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.