Metro Vancouver transit strike SkyTrain decision

The deadline to prevent another full-scale bus strike in Metro Vancouver this weekend is looming, and whether or not it will include picket lines at SkyTrain stations could be decided Wednesday.

The union representing 180 striking transit supervisors at Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) is set to go before the Labour Relations Board at a hearing in Vancouver beginning at 9:30 a.m.

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The union — CUPE Local 4500 — wants to expand possible picket lines to include SkyTrain stations during three days of strike action which is set to start Saturday.

Last week, two days of job action took Metro Vancouver buses off the road but SkyTrains, the Canada Line, and the West Coast Express were not affected because the union was not in a position to legally picket those services.

A week ago, the province appointed a special mediator in the labour dispute and neither side has made any public statements since then.

Special Mediator Vince Ready’s recommendations are due Friday. If they don’t lead to an agreement, the union is ready to resume picket lines Saturday through Monday.

Talks of a possible SkyTrain shutdown began Jan. 21, when the union that represents workers on the SkyTrain Expo and Millenium lines said if a deal wasn’t reached, members of CUPE 7000 would not have to report to work if they came across a picket line and they’re encouraged to “join CUPE 4500 members in picketing.”

Meanwhile, CMBC spokesperson Mike Killeen previously said the union should come back with a more realistic wage offer since it’s asking for nearly double the increase other CMBC unions have already agreed to.

Right now, a transit supervisor makes about $92,400 a year, and they’re asking to be brought up to $115,400 in three years — a 25 per cent increase — according to CMBC.

The bus company is offering them just under half the increase the union is asking for.