Media Statement from Regional Partners Re BC Transit
FirstGroup, BC Transit’s service contractor in the Central Okanagan, received 72-hour notice from their unionized employees of a potential job action as early as Thursday, September 1. FirstGroup operates the conventional and handyDART services in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Lake Country and Peachland. BC Transit is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available. In the event of service disruption, www.bctransit.com/kelowna for further information.
The regional partners are not employers of the drivers and staff who operate the transit system and, therefore, will not be directly involved in these negotiations. Regional partners will not be commenting on the status of negotiations.
The regional partners recognize public transit is an essential and critical component of our regional transportation system. Public transit supports our communities and economy – helping people get to and from medical appointments, work and school. As such, the regional partners have sent a letter to the Minister of Labour requesting the provincial government intervene in order to prevent disruptions to service.
We strongly encourage both parties to find a fair and reasonable resolution as transit is a very important service for the citizens of the central Okanagan.
Should there be a labour disruption to transit service, we understand that we cannot fully replace transit service in the same manner.
We urge everyone to plan ahead and consider your options. Work from home if possible, plan travel at non-peak times, check in with co-workers, friends, neighbours and family to see if there are options to carpool, share rides and support one another all the time but especially during a transit disruption.
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For more information, contact:
BC Transit
media@bctransit.com
250-880-1303
