ABBOTSFORD — CUPE Fraser Valley bus drivers have voted 94% in favor of a strike mandate as part of the negotiating process. The members of CUPE Local 561 gave their bargaining team the mandate at a meeting held Sunday night.
The First Canada ULC employees are still in bargaining with the employer and say that the strike vote is to communicate their resolve to get a new collective agreement. The membership rejected a proposed memorandum of settlement last month. If negotiations were to break down, the union would still have to serve 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Relations Board before taking job action.
The two sides have met five times since the contract expired last summer and the union is seeking a return to the bargaining table for further talks.
CUPE 561 represents 134 bus drivers, mechanics, cleaners, and maintenance workers.
