Bus drivers for West Vancouver’s Blue Bus system have voted 88 per cent in favour of accepting a three-year contract deal recommended by union brass.
The ratification vote Oct. 27 comes after negotiators for the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing Blue Bus drivers and mechanics, hammered out a deal with the District of West Vancouver Oct. 24.
The two sides went back to the bargaining table – without the help of a mediator – after drivers staged a one-day bus strike Oct. 24, bringing transit service in West Vancouver – including service to B.C. Ferries’ Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal to a halt.
The strike was the first in the 100 year history of the transit service and left a number of travellers scrambling to get to their destinations.
District of West Vancouver spokesman Jeff McDonald said this week details of the deal won’t be released until after the agreement is also ratified by district council. That vote is expected Nov. 7.
The previous contract with the union expired March 31.
Union president Geoff Devlin said the deal addresses benefit issues that were in dispute during the strike.
There are about 150 union bus drivers and mechanics who work for the Blue Bus system. The system provides about 18,000 trips a day.
The system is run by the municipality under contract to TransLink.
