Union demand for 25% wage increase over 3 years unrealistic: Coast Mountain Bus Company

A spokespersonfor Coast Mountain Bus Company says the union's demand for wage increases of 25 per cent over three years for certain transit workers is unreasonable and unrealistic.

Speaking at a media conference, Mike Killeen said the company is urging CUPE Local 4500to return to the bargaining table.

"It's the wage issue that's the sticking point," said Killeen. "The offer that's on the table right now is fair and reasonable."

CUPE Local 4500 represents more than 180 transit supervisors, engineers, maintenance and communication workers. The union imposed a ban on overtime starting Saturday as a first level of job action.

An attempt at mediation failed and bargaining broke off last week. The union issued a 72-hourstrike notice on Jan. 3.

The previous collective agreement between the company and union members expired in October 2022.

Killeen said the wage offer on the table is consistent with what other CMBC unions and public sector workers have settled on in the past year: between 12 and 13.5 per cent over three years.

CMBC is a subsidiary of TransLink, the Metro Vancouver region's transit authority. The company employs almost 6,000 people in total, mostly bus drivers, according to the TransLink website.

According to Killeen, the job action hasn't affected service so far.

"We really hope it doesn't escalate," he said. "We hope they come back to the table."

CBC has contactedCUPE Local 4500 for comment.