On Thursday, August 23th, the BC Transit workers union, Unifor Local 333, announced a 72-hour job action notice had been issued, though there will not be a strike.
According to the union, workers are not planning a withdrawal of service at this time.
Once the 72 hours are up, members plan to begin a uniform ban on the morning of Monday, August 17th so transit users can expect transit service to continue operating.
“This notice is about getting a deal, not about disrupting riders,” said Gavin McGarrigle, western regional director of Unifor.
“Operators are telling us they need realistic run and recovery times and wages that reflect the work. Local 333-BC has been ready to settle for months, and we will stay at the table for as long as it takes to get there.”
Union members’ current collective agreement expired on March 31st, 2025, and workers recently voted 97% in favour of strike action on May 28th of this year.
According to Local 333, wages and working conditions remain the central unresolved issues. Specifically, members want improved run and recovery times, which determine how much time operators have to complete a route and recover between trips.
In solidarity with the workers’ union, the Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) will be holding a solidarity rally outside the BC Transit office in Victoria at 520 Gorge Road East at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 17th.
The riders’ union is now calling on all transit riders of the region that can to join them at this rally.
“Transit riders need transit workers to have a fair deal with their employer,” said Liz Cronin, chair of VTRU.
“Rested and well-supported transit workers can safely get us to work, to visit family, to access places and resources we need for enjoyment and for survival.”
Their hope, and the hope of the workers’ union, is that the uniform ban will help pressure BC Transit, and avoid escalation to a strike action.
VTRU says they are deeply disappointed the employer has failed to make an offer considered to be reasonable to these workers after more than 16 months of negotiations.
The solidarity rally will be held throughout the day on Monday, August 17th.
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