Metro Van health-care functioning amid transit strike

Health-care workers across Metro Vancouver are among the thousands who have had to get creative with their daily commute during an ongoing transit strike.

Meena Brisard with the BC Hospital Employees Union says they’re monitoring the strike, but as of Monday, most of the union’s members are making alternate plans and still getting to work.

“We will continue to keep in touch with our members across Metro Vancouver to monitor the impact, if any, that the strike is having on their work,” she said.

Brisard says the union is carefully monitoring the dispute if the situation changes, but there’s currently no impact to people’s ability to receive healthcare in Metro Vancouver.

“We’re also going to work with health-care employers to explore other measures to ensure the best care for Metro Vancouver residents should the impact on health care become an issue for our members and the public,” she said.

Brisard says the union also stands behind CUPE 4500’s right to strike.

“Unions and their members have an important role to play in our society and economy. We have the right to work together and bargain together and when the process breaks down, job action is the union’s most imporant tool to reach a settlement,” she said.

“I’m very optimistic with the assistance of veteran mediator Vince Ready the parties will reach an arrangement.”