COAST Mountain Bus Company President and General Manager Michael McDaniel said in a statement that it’s disappointing that the union representing approximately 180 transit supervisors is threatening to disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who depend on the bus and SeaBus each day over a wage dispute.
He added: “We urge the union to immediately end their job action and return to the bargaining table with realistic expectations.”
He said: “CMBC has made CUPEÂ 4500 the same wage offer already agreed to by all other CMBC unions. The union has demanded 25 per cent wage increases for transit supervisors over three years. Simply put, it is unreasonable for this group of supervisors to demand nearly double the increase that all other CMBC unions have accepted.”
He warned: “If the union proceeds with picket lines, there could be major impacts to our services up to a full shutdown of the SeaBus and bus system. Any impacts to service will be communicated to customers as they are known.”
Key facts about the dispute, according to CMBC:
- Wages have been the key issue at the bargaining table.
- CMBC has offered wage increases that are consistent with other public sector settlements, and consistent with what all other CMBC unions have accepted.
- The union has rejected this offer and demanded higher wage increases than what other CMBC unions accepted.
- The union is demanding that all of their members receive wage increases between 20 and 25 per cent. The union is demanding that Transit Supervisors, which make up approximately one third of their union, should earn nearly double the wage increases agreed to by all other CMBC unions.
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Key facts about service disruptions:
- Any service impacts due to job action will be communicated to customers as soon as possible.
- For real-time information, customers should sign up for Transit Alerts, check the Transit Alerts Page, check X (Twitter), or call the Customer Information Phone Line at 604-953-3333.
Other information:
- CUPE Local 4500 represents approximately 180 CMBC supervisors
- The union is asserting that CMBC Transit Supervisors should be paid the same as SkyTrain Field Supervisors. While both roles are important to ensuring the transit system moves smoothly, they are incomparable, particularly because:
- SkyTrain Field Supervisors are directly responsible for managing approximately 30 employees each. They are also responsible for hiring, disciplining, and firing employees.
- CMBC Transit Supervisors do not directly manage employees. Their role is to provide guidance to Transit Operators as needed and to coordinate the smooth running of transit services in the field. They do not hire, discipline, or fire employees.
