Negotiations in the Sea to Sky region transit dispute came to a halt yesterday evening after the employer refused to agree to any plans for eventual wage parity with Metro Vancouver transit operators, Unifor said.
Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and senior staff joined the talks to end the 48-day transit strike covering Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton.
“Progress was made but there must be a roadmap to wage parity,” said McGarrigle, referring to the massive gap between the corridor’s transit workers and those in Metro Vancouver.
The company’s proposal doesn’t allow striking union members to reach wage parity by the end of the agreement, which remains the sole outstanding point in negotiations.
More than 80 transit workers in the region have been on strike since January 29, 2022. The workers help thousands of residents move throughout the area, including hospitality staff serving the luxury resort of Whistler Blackcomb.
“Wealthy families come from around the globe to Whistler, where transit workers can barely afford to make ends meet,” said McGarrigle. “Our goal for the next collective agreement has been transparent from the start: transit workers should be able to afford to live in the region they serve.”
There are no future negotiating dates scheduled with the company.
