Overtime ban ends as bus drivers’ union and BC Transit enter mediation

The overtime ban set in place by the BC Transit bus drivers’ union is coming to an end this Friday, September 5th at noon. 

Unifor Local 333, who represent the drivers, put the overtime ban in place after a uniform ban failed to bring them closer to negotiations with the employer, BC Transit. 

During the overtime ban, members worked their regularly scheduled shifts, but refused to work longer than scheduled, as BC Transit often relies on employees accepting overtime.

The union’s goal was to get a new collective agreement for its members with better wages as well as more realistic run times and recovery times, which determine how long operators have to complete their routes and recover between trips. 

The overtime ban will come to an end as Local 333 and BC Transit will enter mediation in order to continue negotiations towards a new collective agreement. 

The union workers have been without an agreement since March 2025. 

The ban on overtime hours caused some impacts to routes throughout BC, including in Victoria. 

While the dispute between Local 333 and BC Transit has entered mediation, the company’s negotiations with its administrative workers’ union, MoveUP, has now come to an end with the ratification of a separate collective agreement. 

The admin workers’ new agreement will run through until March 31st, 2029 and comes with improved wages, a new job group at a higher wage category, adjusted vacation entitlements to allow members to earn vacation sooner, a new health spending account, increased benefits coverage and more.

“We’re very pleased to reach this deal for our members who work at BC Transit,” said Annette Toth, president of MoveUP. 

“Working within the constraints of the public sector mandate, we were able to address many of the issues our members brought to our attention at the outset of bargaining. Through the negotiating process we were able to address many of their concerns in this collective agreement.”

MoveUp also noted that while their members now have the security of a new collective agreement, the union and its members remain firmly in solidarity with Local 333 who are still working towards a deal.