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.

香蕉视频直播淲e took a strike vote last night (Aug. 28), said Al Peressini, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e been negotiating since February with First Transit and they haven香蕉视频直播檛 brought us any money until just last week, and it was well below anything so we didn香蕉视频直播檛 even take that to the membership.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淭he company can香蕉视频直播檛 hire and retain professional, reliable workers,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey can香蕉视频直播檛 afford to live here.香蕉视频直播�

Right now they香蕉视频直播檙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.

香蕉视频直播淭hey go and find other driving jobs where they香蕉视频直播檙e guaranteed 40 hours (a week), and benefits. So we香蕉视频直播檙e after a living wage for our members.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淭o me that香蕉视频直播檚 wrong,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淎 company is hired to provide a service, yet they aren香蕉视频直播檛 providing the service.香蕉视频直播�

Although drivers have voted to approve a strike vote, it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 mean they will necessarily walk off the job.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 our last resort,香蕉视频直播� explained Peressini. 香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 want to disrupt service for customers. 香蕉视频直播淭he area is growing and transit should be growing to meet the demand, but the private company is not doing it.香蕉视频直播�

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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