West Vancouver blue bus system shut down after operators go on strike

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      Transit service has been shut down to and from West Vancouver.

      Members of Local 134 of the Amalgamated Transit Union went on strike this morning after failing to reach a deal with the District of West Vancouver.

      The West Vancouver blue buses run between the upscale municipality and downtown.

      In addition, blue bus service has been interrupted to Lions Gate Hospital, Capilano University, UBC's Point Grey campus, and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.

      "We are extremely disappointed and extremely frustrated with West Vancouver being the only municipality in British Columbia that won't negotiate a new collective agreement with transit workers," ATU Local 134 president Geoff Devlin said in a statement.

      It's the first transit strike in West Vancouver in 100 years.

      The union has claimed that management is seeking concessions. According to Devlin, the employer also won't address its demand to retain mechanics, who have a 100 percent turnover rate every two years.

      The District of West Vancouver has claimed on its website that it's "prepared to provide employees with a settlement comparable to the recent Coast Mountain Bus Company agreement".

      "The District remains hopeful an agreement can be reached but is concerned this is not possible when the union is holding on to so many proposals that would adversely impact its ability to operate efficiently to meet the needs of the public," the district claimed. "Such proposals include no contracting out, elimination of dispatch duties when needed after hours, increased ability to bank time, increased collective agreement language regarding access to driver service awards and full pay to attend grievance meetings."

      Update: On Monday (October 24) evening, the union and management reached a tentative agreement, which means bus service resumes Tuesday (October 25) morning.

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