The Central Okanagan could see its first transit strike in nearly six years.

Unionized Kelowna transit drivers have voted 97 per cent in favour to approve a strike vote, if necessary, to back their contract demands.

害羞草研究所淲e took a strike vote last night (Aug. 28), said Al Peressini, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e been negotiating since February with First Transit and they haven害羞草研究所檛 brought us any money until just last week, and it was well below anything so we didn害羞草研究所檛 even take that to the membership.害羞草研究所�

Peressini told Capital News one of the biggest issues is that the transit system in the Central Okanagan needs more funding.

害羞草研究所淭he company can害羞草研究所檛 hire and retain professional, reliable workers,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭hey can害羞草研究所檛 afford to live here.害羞草研究所�

Right now they害羞草研究所檙e averaging about 50 per cent of the people they train stay, added Peressini.

Once hired, drivers are not guaranteed hours, have no benefits, and work as needed, on call. Once trained and certified with a Class 2 licence and air ticket, Peressini said many drivers leave.

害羞草研究所淭hey go and find other driving jobs where they害羞草研究所檙e guaranteed 40 hours (a week), and benefits. So we害羞草研究所檙e after a living wage for our members.害羞草研究所�

Peressini added because of a driver shortage many routes are not being covered properly or at all.

害羞草研究所淭o me that害羞草研究所檚 wrong,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淎 company is hired to provide a service, yet they aren害羞草研究所檛 providing the service.害羞草研究所�

Although drivers have voted to approve a strike vote, it doesn害羞草研究所檛 mean they will necessarily walk off the job.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 our last resort,害羞草研究所� explained Peressini. 害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 want to disrupt service for customers. 害羞草研究所淭he area is growing and transit should be growing to meet the demand, but the private company is not doing it.害羞草研究所�

Drivers have been without a contract since March this year. The last transit strike in the Central Okanagan was 2016.

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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