The union representing Metro Vancouver transit supervisors employed at Coast Mountain Bus Company says it will accept a new contract proposed by mediator Vince Ready.
Should the company agree to the contract, CUPE 4500 says it will also withdraw its notice to strike for 72 hours starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
“CUPE 4500 thanks Mr. Ready for his thorough and comprehensive review of the issues at the heart of this dispute. His recommendations show there are compromises that can be made on both sides of the bargaining table,” says Liam O’Neill, spokesperson for CUPE 4500.
“While they don’t completely address our issues, these recommendations are clearly our best path towards a mutually acceptable settlement. We are calling on Coast Mountain to accept them and avoid any further disruptions for transit users.”
“We don’t see any reason to leave transit users in a state of uncertainty. We hope Coast Mountain will be quick in its deliberations and make its intentions clear,” says O’Neill.
“For the sake of transit users, and the on-going relationship between CUPE 4500 members and Coast Mountain, let us put this dispute behind us.”
Ready was appointed special mediator last week after the union shut down services across the region for two days following a collapse in negotiations for a new deal.
The union had sought a 25 per cent wage increase over three years whereas the company offered 13.5 per cent.
Glacier Media has asked the union for details of the mediated deal.
