97% of Kelowna transit workers vote in favour of authorizing strike

Kelowna transit workers say they have been “pushed to the brink” by First Transit Canada’s refusal to negotiate a contract for fair wages, cost of living allowance and improved health and safety measures.

As a result, 97% of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1722, which represents Kelowna Regional Transit workers, has voted in favour of going on strike if necessary.

“Wages and benefits are so low that the company cannot retain or recruit qualified workers,” explained Al Peressini, ATU Local 1722 president.

“An underfunded transit system means poor service for riders and poor conditions for workers. Service routes are being suspended and routes are being canceled daily.”

Peressini added that transit workers are overworked and “fed up with a private company that squeezes millions of dollars of profit out of tax-payer-funded public transit.”

That private company Peressini is referring to is First Transit, which is owned by the multi-billion-dollars Swedish Hedge Fund, EQT.

ATU Local 1722 claims that at the bargaining table recently, in response to the union’s suggestion that the company needs to make its employees happier, a First Transit Canada regional manager said: “Happy workers don’t make me any more money.”

ATU’s international president, John Costa said that the comment is an insult to members and added that First Transit does not care about their workers or riders.

“All it cares about is making a profit on the backs of its employees. The result is a transit system that isn’t working, riders being stranded, and a city suffering,” he said.

“This overwhelming strike vote sends a strong message: It’s time for First Transit to come to the table and give our members the fair and just contract that they deserve.”

Now that members have approved job action, the union will have to give 72 hours of notice before going on strike, which has not happened yet.

Kelowna transit workers last went on strike in the fall of 2016.