A month-long strike in the Comox Valley and Campbell River transit systems may soon come to an end.
On Thursday, PWTransit Canada – the company contracted by BC Transit to operate bus routes in the Comox and Campbell River areas – said it had reached a tentative agreement with Unifor 114, the union representing bus drivers, mechanics and more in the two communities.
The transit strike in the Comox Valley and Campbell River began on Dec. 15, with union members looking for a pay bump, among other requests.
The union says its drivers are among the lowest paid in the province, making $4 to $5 an hour less than their counterparts in the Cowichan Valley, Whistler and the Fraser Valley.
The impacts of the weeks-long strike have been felt by workers and students in the area, with drivers admitting it’s tough to see school children being affected by the job action.
“Well, when I drive my bus I have a lot of school kids on my bus and I feel for them and I feel for the parents, but I mean, like I said I hope it comes to an end and we can go back to doing that again,” bus driver Terry Styan told CHEK News on Jan. 11.
In its statement Thursday, PWTransit said a ratification date for the agreement had not yet been set.
“If all goes well, details on when the public can expect transit services to resume will be announced next week,” said PWTransit.
The company says no further information is available at this time.
With files from CHEK’s Dean Stoltz
BC Transit buses are pictured in Courtenay. (CHEK News)
Adam Chan
