Transit Workers Seek Strike Mandate in New Dispute

Vancouver's public transit system faces a potential labor disruption as Unifor announced it's pursuing a strike mandate from its members after months of failed negotiations with Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), the TransLink subsidiary that operates the city's bus fleet and SeaBus.

The union claims management has been pushing "sweeping concession demands" that would roll back worker protections and benefits. Unifor Local 111 represents over 4,000 bus drivers, while Local 2200 covers more than 1,100 skilled trades and service workers—meaning roughly 5,000-plus workers could be involved if a walkout happens.

This isn't the city's first transit labor standoff. Previous disputes have left commuters scrambling for alternatives, gridlocking downtown corridors, and forcing businesses to adapt to reduced ridership. The timing is awkward—as the city gears up for World Cup hosting duties and the summer travel season begins in earnest.

Management and the union have been at this for months, so neither side appears close to resolution. If Unifor members vote to authorize a strike, the real test begins: whether a strike actually happens or serves as leverage to push negotiations toward a deal. For anyone relying on buses to get to work, it's a moment to start thinking through backup commute plans.