Fraser Valley transit strike mediator asks for more time

The special mediator appointed to help bring the Fraser Valley transit strike to an end has asked the province for more time.

On June 8, more than 100 days after buses ground to a halt, the province announced that it tasked veteran mediator Vince Ready to resolve the ongoing labour dispute between Fraser Valley bus drivers and their employer First Transit, a BC Transit contractor.

At the time, the province said Ready would work with both sides for up to 10 days. If a settlement was not reached, the province said Ready can form his own recommended settlement that each side can choose to accept. The 10 days have now come and gone.

More time needed

Evidently, 10 days was not enough time for the seasoned mediator to bring both sides together. Instead, on Tuesday, Ready asked BC’s labour minister for more time, a spokesperson told The Current the following day. Ready didn’t specify how much additional time would be required. But his request was approved by Labour Minister Harry Bains.

Ready is expected to inform the minister when he has completed his final report. But details on the progress of the negotiations at this point are undisclosed.

Meanwhile, local community organizations continue to plead for a resolution as the transit strike reaches three months.

“We’re hearing from seniors experiencing increased isolation and loneliness which has been significantly impacting their mental health and well-being,” Abbotsford’s Archway Community Services CEO Rod Santiago posted in a statement online.

“Clients aren’t able to pick up their food bank hampers or travel to work, which puts them even further behind.

“Youth and newcomers are having difficulty getting to school and there are adult learners falling asleep in their English classes because they’re so tired from working overtime to pay for the increased transportation costs.”

The Current has contacted Ready’s office for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.