Vernon and Salmon Arm workers went on strike. Members of Unifor Local 114 at First Canada in Vernon and Shuswap have voted overwhelmingly to strike if a collective agreement cannot be negotiated. National representative Gavin Davies says members voted 98.5% in favor of the strike order and was notified on Friday, putting the union in a legal position now to strike at any time. However, this does not mean that the buses will not be running soon. “We don’t envision any job action in the immediate future,” Davies said on Tuesday. “We’re in a position where we can legitimately hit, but we’re not.” The public shouldn’t fear a shutdown in the near future, he said. “We would give weeks notice in that case.” After the order, the union has three months in which to start any work. Negotiations began in November last year and the last workers’ contract expired at the end of March 2021. Wages and pensions are priorities for the union. Drivers currently earn up to $27.26 an hour and mechanics $36.76. Davies said the 2% cap sought by the government and 3% allowed by employers was “out of step with inflation”. He said the union is seeking a defined benefit pension in place of the company’s current RRSP contributions. There are currently no commitments for further negotiations. First Canada is a third party contractor for BC Transit. The largest transit strike in BC history. took place earlier this year in the Sea to Sky area. “The solution at First Canada is the same solution found at PW Transit: fair wages and a recognition that inflation should not erode wages,” inion said in a press release.
