Unifor launches legal challenge to Translink layoffs
by CM Staff
Close to 1,000 transit operators and 200 maintenance staff have received layoff notice effective May 18, 2020
PHOTO: Unifor
VANCOUVER – On April 23, Unifor announced the company will use the B.C. Labour Code to challenge Translink subsidiary Coast Mountain Bus Company’s (CMBC) lay-off notices issued on Monday, April 20.
“Transit service rollbacks must be stopped,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president, in a prepared statement. “The federal government needs to act fast. It is a mistake to weaken the public transit system while tens of thousands of essential workers rely on it every day.”
Close to 1,000 transit operators and 200 maintenance staff have received layoff notice effective May 18. Unifor intends to argue that CMBC breached the Labour Relations Code by not giving 60 days’ notice. The union will be seeking to have the lay-offs rescinded, or at minimum pay workers during the 60 days.
Unifor is urging members of the public to tell their Members of Parliament that federal emergency funds are urgently needed to keep transit service reliable during the pandemic. Unifor wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to provide similar assistance to public transit that has been already granted to the airline industry.
“Other critical transportation networks, such as airlines, have been granted access to federal subsidies,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Let’s show essential services workers that we are committed to getting them to work safely and efficiently.”
Unifor’s statement called on all levels of government to come together to maintain transit service levels to keep passengers safe and to keep the Metro Vancouver economy moving.
