SkyTrain workers ratify new collective agreement

After the union representing SkyTrain’s 900 workers reached a deal with BC Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC) earlier this month, ratification of the new agreement has been completed following four days of electronic voting.

The agreement itself came earlier this month, after an overnight bargaining session that stretched into the early-morning hour, narrowly avoiding a full, three-day shutdown of the Expo and Millennium lines.

“This ratification concludes a very challenging round of bargaining and reflects the strong mandate that our bargaining committee received from members,” said CUPE 7000 President Tony Rebelo.

“We couldn’t have reached this agreement without the dedication of those committee members, whose resolve held firm under difficult circumstances.”

• See also:
  • SkyTrain shutdown will not go ahead
  • How a 3-day shutdown would affect Vancouverites
  • Canada Line’s union workers contract set to expire at the end of the month

The union said the new four-year agreement, retroactive to September 1, 2019, features “several improvements aimed at addressing affordability and wage fairness across the various professions” represented by SkyTrain workers. The contract includes a general wage increase of 3% annually.

“Like others across the B.C. South Coast, our members have struggled with affordability partly because of wages not keeping pace with true cost of living increases,” said Rebelo.

“Our hope is that in securing wage fairness for our members, we will also help other workers across the region achieve fair wages and greater financial security for their families.”

CUPE 7000 represents approximately 900 SkyTrain workers who provide service as SkyTrain attendants and control operators as well as administration, maintenance, and technical staff.