Transit union and Coast Mountain Bus reach second tentative deal after members rejected first
More than 5,000 CMBC workers—bus drivers, mechanics, and SeaBus crew—will vote on a new collective agreement after union membership rejected an earlier deal in June.
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Transit workers and Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) have reached a second tentative collective agreement after union membership rejected an earlier deal, potentially averting labour disruptions across Metro Vancouver's bus and SeaBus network.
Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 announced the agreement on Tuesday, July 21, following negotiations assisted by provincial mediator Trevor Sones. The deal covers more than 5,000 public transit workers, including bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance staff, and SeaBus crew.
Union members rejected a first tentative agreement reached on June 22, voting it down later that month. Union leadership cited membership calls for improvements to working conditions—specifically running times, recovery times, and breaks.
The second agreement must still be approved by union members at a ratification meeting scheduled for the coming days. Unifor said it will not publicly release details of the tentative deal until affected workers have had an opportunity to review its terms and vote.
In late May, union members overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action, giving Unifor legal authority to issue a 72-hour strike notice. The labour dispute first emerged publicly about three weeks before Vancouver began hosting FIFA World Cup matches.
The previous three-year collective agreement for these 5,000 workers expired on March 31, 2026. Negotiations began on February 2, 2026, but deteriorated after the employer refused to withdraw proposals the union said would weaken workplace protections and allow more contracting out of public transit work.
The facts
How many transit workers are covered by this deal?
More than 5,000 workers at Coast Mountain Bus Company are covered, including bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance staff, and SeaBus crew.
When was the first tentative agreement rejected?
Union members rejected the first tentative agreement, which was reached on June 22, 2026, by voting it down later that month.
When does the union membership vote on the second deal?
Unifor scheduled a ratification meeting for the coming days after the announcement on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, but no specific date was provided.
When did the previous contract expire?
The previous three-year collective agreement for Coast Mountain Bus Company's 5,000 workers expired on March 31, 2026.
