Coast Mountain urging union to compromise as job action continues

As job action across Metro Vancouver transit enters its fourth day Tuesday, the company that operates buses in the region is urging the union to come back to the bargaining table with “realistic” expectations.

The Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, says CUPE Local 4500 — which represents approximately 180 supervisors — is asking for a 25 per cent wage increase over three years.

Company spokesperson Mike Killeen says the union is asking for almost double what all other unionized employees settled on last year, and CMBC’s current offer is consistent with that.

“Respectfully, 25 per cent as an increase is just not realistic,” he said at a news conference Tuesday. “[The offer] is consistent with the offer that was accepted by other CMBC unions last year. It’s consistent with all other public sector wage agreements.”

Unionized workers have implemented an overtime ban as part of job action, but other than that, Killeen says there have not been many disruptions for transit users.

“Any escalation of the job action would be unfortunate and disappointing, especially with the snow on the way. What we really need is for the union [to come] back to the bargaining table with a realistic and reasonable expectation,” Killeen added.

CityNews has reached out to CUPE Local 4500 for comment.