The chief negotiator for more than 5,000 Metro Vancouver transit workers says his union's going to try one more time to reach an agreement before a planned three-day walkout.

Gavin McGarrigle, western regional director for Unifor, told reporters in New Westminster that he still remains "pessimistic" that Coast Mountain Bus Company has gotten the message from workers.

But he said that Local 111 and Local 2200 are going back to the bargaining table on Tuesday (November 26) "out of respect for the passengers that we serve".

Unifor national president Jerry Dias will participate in the talks.

"The reality is we're prepared to compromise," McGarrigle said.

To cite one example, he said that Unifor doesn't expect to close the gap between what transit operators are paid in Metro Vancouver versus those in Toronto over the life of the upcoming agreement.

"We're going to work our heart out to make sure we can do the best job we can for our members," McGarrigle said.

The union has already announced a planned three-day walkout from Wednesday to Friday (November 27 to 29).

A large demonstration is planned on Thursday (November 28) outside the TransLink Mayors' Council meeting in New Westminster.

McGarrigle said that the union has the support of the Alliance of B.C. Students and B.C. Federation of Students, which will both send representatives to speak at the rally.

The announcement that Unifor is returning to the bargaining table came two hours after TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond held a news conference at Waterfront Station.

"TransLink is getting ready by working with partners around the region to help the 350,000 customers who rely on bus and SeaBus services each weekday," Desmond said.

He emphasized that SkyTrain, West Coast Express, HandyDart, the West Vancouver Blue Bus service, and community shuttles in Langley and Bowen Island will continue operating.

The TransLink CEO pointed out that of the 165,000 people who take the bus to work in the region, 60 percent do not have a driver's licence or own a car.

"These are our hospital workers, our care providers, construction workers, service workers," Desmond said. "Make no mistake: this work stoppage, especially if it comes to a full-on strike after this three-day planned action, will have an impact on the region's economy.

"Of course, I've also heard from many students," he continued. "There are over 100,000 students who regularly use the bus to get to school every day. Students at SFU up Burnaby Mountain, UBC, Kwantlen, and Capilano University, just to name a few, not to mention the thousands of North Shore residents and people who have jobs on the North Shore who depend on the SeaBus each and every day.

"And of course crossing Burrard Inlet with the two bridges. We know what happens when there's a traffic problem on one of the two bridges. This will further complicate our mobility situation."

He also noted that transportation modellers have concluded that if there's no bus and SeaBus service, that will result in an additional 36,000 vehicles on the road in morning rush hour, which will contribute to greater traffic congestion.

To try to address the issue, Desmond mentioned the following initiatives:

* more frequent off-peak SkyTrain service;

* more SkyTrain attendants and police at stations during the walkout;

* designating unused bus stops near SkyTrain stations as pick-up and drop-off locations;

* designated carpooling parking spots at SkyTrain park and rides;

* a UBC vanpool pilot project;

* expanded bike parking at stations;

* complementary bike valet service at "key stations";

* More MOBI bikes near stations;

* and U-Bicycle will provide free rides for three days only and increase capacity at Canada Line stations, as well as in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.

In addition, Desmond said that Evo and car2go are expanding their pick-up and drop-off boundaries. And GobyRIDE and LiftTango carpooling platforms are prepared for extra demand.

"TransLink is encouraging businesses to allow employees to telecommute and permit more flexible work schedules," Desmond said.