The Victoria Transit Riders Union (VTRU) is declaring its full support for Victoria transit workers following their strike vote on Thursday, May 28th, and is calling on BC Transit to offer the bus drivers, mechanics, electricians, and other transit workers represented by Unifor Local 333-BC a fair deal, with decent wages and working conditions, including adequate time for breaks and access to bathroom facilities.
“VTRU stands with bus drivers and other transit workers. The work they do is critical to this city and to the planet, and we support their fight for dignified working conditions and a fair deal,” said Liz Cronin, the Chair of VTRU.
“We will hold BC Transit responsible for any resulting service disruption, not the workers,” said Cronin.
VTRU is appalled that BC Transit has failed to make a reasonable offer to these workers after more than 14 months of negotiations.
VTRU is also disappointed with BC Transit’s recently-stated commitment to striking a deal that “balances the needs of employees, riders, and the long-term sustainability of transit service.” VTRU views this as a transparent attempt to pit riders against the workers, when in reality a fair deal for the workers is essential to the needs of riders and to transit sustainability.
“As transit riders, we depend on these workers for our transportation and our safety. They are members of our communities and families; they are our neighbours and our friends” said Cronin. “So their needs are the needs of riders, too. There is no need to ‘balance’ these things.”