Metro Vancouver bus drivers reach tentative contract deal, company says

Coast Mountain Bus Company says it has reached a tentative contract agreement with Metro Vancouver transit operators after months of bargaining.

The company said the deal was reached with Unifor Locals 111 and 2200, which represent bus drivers, SeaBus workers and other skilled tradespeople, with the assistance of a mediator.

Terms of the tentative agreement have not been released. Coast Mountain said it will seek ratification before the agreement becomes final.

The company said the deal provides additional detail on recovery and running time and is consistent with a framework established with other public-sector unions.

Negotiations began in February but later stalled. Workers took job action that included a ban on wearing uniforms and refusing requests to give up break time when bus routes were running behind schedule.

Union members voted in May to authorize strike action with more than 99 per cent support, though both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table on Saturday.