The union representing transit drivers in the Central Okanagan plans to step up job action this week.
Unless representatives from Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1722 and First Transit work something out by Thursday (Sep. 8), drivers will stop collecting fares from passengers.
Drivers started their job action on Sept. 2 by refusing to wear company uniforms, and instead have been wearing union t-shirts.
“Management refuses to fix our system, fund it, and make it fair, so we are asking the riding public to refuse to pay fares until those priorities improve,” said Al Peressini, ATU president in a statement.
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According to the union, drivers earn between $5-$10 less per hour than those in other transit systems in the province.
“Our members care deeply for our riders and the community, and we are exercising restraint and doing everything we can before shutting down bus service,” added Peressini.
Central Okanagan mayors and the Westbank First Nation have written to the province asking that it intervene in the dispute.
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@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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