Bus riders in Victoria may soon be stranded--unionized bus drivers have served BC Transit with a 72-hour strike notice. Canadian Auto Workers Local 333 President Ben Williams says the union had no choice. "We came back to the table again yesterday, as well as today, and unfortunately BC Transit walked away from the table." Williams says there won't … [Read more...]
Drivers flock to sign up for reduced Port Mann tolls
September 25, 2012 by
Drivers are flocking to the new Port Mann bridge website to register for discounts and other incentives. Port Mann bridge and highway one CEO Mike Proudfoot says to date 50,000 motorists have registered. He hopes the majority of drivers will be registered by November. "Our goal is to get as many drivers registered as possible and … [Read more...]
Drivers thanked for early finish on Port Mann construction phase
September 24, 2012 by
A major phase construction wrapped up early on the new Port Mann Bridge last weekend, thanks to drivers. Greg Johnson, spokesman for the Port Mann Highway 1 project, says drivers heeded directions to avoid the area so crews could connect the new bridge to the Cape Horn Interchange. "We owe a lot to the drivers who managed to stay away from the Cape … [Read more...]
Coast Mountain drivers want to talk about conditions
September 13, 2012 by
It's back to the bargaining table for Coast Mountain bus drivers. It was only by a small percentage members approved a one year contract extension that expired the end of March. Drivers are looking for a wage bump but more importantly according to union President Don MacLeod it's working conditions that are front and centre at the … [Read more...]
Victoria bus drivers favour strike action
September 12, 2012 by
Victoria bus drivers have voted 98-per cent in favour of job action, but only if necessary. Contract talks broke down last week. BC Transit (not Translink on the Island) proposed a wage increase of one-per cent over three years. The drivers want more and improved contract language dealing with contracting out. CKNW Vancouver News … [Read more...]
Canada Line bad for taxi drivers
September 2, 2012 by
It's been running for three years and continues to grow its ridership on an annual basis. But not everyone is praising the Canada Line. Mohan Singh Kang with the BC Taxi Association says cabbies may be suffering the most. He claims some companies in the Lower Mainland are reporting a severe loss in business, as high as 30 per cent in some … [Read more...]
Drivers fined before drunk driving laws amended won’t get money back
July 12, 2012 by
Impaired drivers who were fined before BC's tough new drunk driving regulations were amended are out of luck. They won't be getting paid back. A BC Supreme court judge has ruled the decision he made declaring part of the legislation unconstitutional can not be applied retroactively. That means any fines issued before the law was re-written … [Read more...]
HandyDart drivers show their displeasure over suspensions
June 22, 2012 by
They carried signs, performed a memorial, and taped American one-dollar bills across their mouths. Handydart drivers mourned the death of free speech Thursday evening because their employer recently suspended two co-workers for telling CKNW about concerns they have with the service. This man was one of those workers, "I just saw something happening … [Read more...]
Ruling clears way for ICBC workers to strike, but drivers won’t be affected
June 13, 2012 by
The union representing ICBC workers says it will serve strike notice in a matter of weeks. COPE 378 vice president Jeff Gillies says a Labour Relations Board interim ruling has cleared the way for 72-hour strike notice starting July 1. Gillies says drivers won't be affected. "We want to take a wise and cautious approach to job … [Read more...]
Their union will go to the wall for Handy-Dart drivers
June 13, 2012 by
The union will defend their members, two Handy-Dart drivers suspended by the employer for talking to CKNW. "We are going to vigorously defend any members who are disciplined." Amalgamated Transit Union Local 17-24 spokesperson Tyler Felbel says members have the right to turn to the media when they have concerns. Felbel says they believe in … [Read more...]
