TransLink workers reject contract twice; uniform ban starts Monday
About 5,000 Coast Mountain Bus Company employees will stop wearing uniforms starting Aug. 17 as labour dispute escalates over working conditions.
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For the second time this summer, bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance workers, and SeaBus staff employed by TransLink subsidiary Coast Mountain Bus Company have rejected a tentative contract agreement.
Union leaders and company negotiators hammered out the deal just over two weeks ago, but the membership voted it down this week. This follows a rejection of the first tentative agreement in late June during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Our members have now turned down this employer's offer twice and the message has not changed," said Unifor national president Lana Payne. "This dispute is about working conditions. Wages matter, but our members are telling Coast Mountain Bus Company that the day-to-day realities of the job must be fixed."
Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, about 5,000 workers with Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 will begin labour action with a ban on wearing uniforms. Transit service will continue to run normally during this phase, though the union retains the ability to escalate if negotiations don't improve.
Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's western regional director, emphasized the limited scope: "Service is not shutting down. Our members are going to work, driving their routes and doing their jobs. This is a measured first step, and whether anything further is needed is entirely in the employer's hands."
Coast Mountain Bus Company said it remains committed to reaching a "fair agreement." The previous three-year collective agreement expired on March 31, 2026. Union leadership says negotiations began in February but deteriorated when the employer refused to withdraw proposals that would weaken workplace protections and allow more contracting out of transit work.
The facts
How many TransLink workers are involved in this labour dispute?
About 5,000 workers with Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 employed by Coast Mountain Bus Company are involved in the dispute.
When does the uniform ban start?
The uniform ban begins on August 17, 2026.
What is the main issue in this labour dispute?
The dispute is about working conditions. Union members have rejected two contract offers, saying that day-to-day workplace realities must be addressed, and they object to employer proposals that would weaken workplace protections and allow more contracting out of transit work.
Will bus service stop during the uniform ban?
No. Transit service will continue to run normally during this phase of labour action.
