The District of West Vancouver and the union representing West Vancouver Blue Bus drivers and maintenance staff will spend the weekend in mediated talks in an effort to avoid a full strike on Monday.
The district said Friday that the Amalgamated Transit Union has announced plans for a full strike on Monday, and that the district hopes an agreement can be reached so a strike can be avoided.
“We understand that a transit strike causes difficulty for many people and we are pleased that the transit union has accepted our invitation to meet this Sunday,” said district communications director Jeff McDonald, in a statement.
The union, which represents Blue Bus drivers, community shuttle drivers, servicemen and mechanics, said earlier that job action would commence after negotiations broke off over what the union characterized as employer demands for concessions in working conditions and benefits.
However, the district said Friday that it has not asked for any concessions. It said the district has made a fair offer, including a salary adjustment comparable to the contract accepted by TransLink’s Coast Mountain Bus Company workers earlier this year.
Earlier this week, the transit union implemented a ban on overtime, causing some trips to be cancelled.
There are 149 members of ATU Local 134 who operate and maintain the Blue Bus system of 52 buses.
The current contract expired on March 31.
