BC Transit and staff represented by Unifor Local 333 have ratified a new agreement as part of the government`s negotiating mandate for sustainable services from the B.C government. In addition to an overall wage increase of 5.5 percent, the deal includes a $2 “craft qualifies” for workers such as mechanics, mechanics and welders, said Local President Ben Williams. Details of the agreement will not be published until ratification. VICTORIA – BC Transit and Unifor Local 333 are pleased to announce an interim work agreement. The provincial government said in a statement that the agreement contains the potential for further increases over the next four years “if the B.C.-Economy economy exceeds the annual forecasts of the Economic ForecastIng Council.” Currently, nearly 240,000 public sector workers are affected by interim or ratified agreements concluded under the mandate. The review and ratification of the agreement by the 333 members of Unifor 333 and the BC Transit Board of Directors will take place in the coming weeks. Ben Williams Unifor National Representative 250-384-4423 250-888-8696 [email protected] Unifor Local 333 and B.C. Transit Board of Directors have ratified the agreement. The current employment contract between BC Transit and Unifor 333 expired in March 2019.
Williams said specific concerns ranging from health and family issues to working conditions could go, or even get a suitable uniform. With the agreement, a complaint for unfaithful negotiations was dropped by the union. The agreement focuses on improving services for people and ensuring fair and affordable compensation. The Sustainable Services Negotiation Mandate supports the government`s commitment to improving the services people rely on, making life more affordable and investing in sustainable economic growth. The mandate is consistent with B.C`s commitment to balanced budgets and good financial management. B.c.. Transit spokesman Mike Russell said it was the company`s third union contract signed with its employees in 2015, which strengthens ties with employees and provides “safe, reliable and inexpensive public transportation in the Victoria area.” Unifor 333 represents approximately 650 members, including transit operators and maintenance staff of Victoria`s regional transit system. “In today`s market, craft occupations were actually underpaid for market conditions for crafts,” Williams said. Unifor Local 333 represents approximately 650 drivers, service and maintenance personnel working at BC Transit in Greater Victoria.
“There are a lot of different people in the workplace and a lot of different topics emerging,” he said. “Whether it`s personal or work issues, we want to make sure that women in the workplace have someone they feel good about to talk to.” More than 700 union members voted on the contract, which runs retroactively until April 2014 and runs until March 2019. All are part of Unifor Local 333. Learn more about public sector negotiations in B.C: www.gov.bc.ca/psecbargaining bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance workers and other workers voted 89% in favour of a five-year contract with B.C.