Hearing on future of transit strike wraps first day without decision

A hearing at the BC Labour Relations Board to decide the future of the transit strike in the Lower Mainland will likely extend into a second day after no decision was reached Wednesday.

Representatives for transit unions and their employers, including the BC Rapid Transit Company, TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and ProTrans BC, gathered in downtown Vancouver to discuss expanding or forbidding the strike.

The employers applied to the board for an essential service designation, which would force employees back to work. As justification, the employers argued transit services are necessary to prevent immediate danger to the health and welfare of British Columbians — since the strike would impact people’s ability to get to work, get to medical appointments, and keep hospitals adequately staffed.

Archive