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Midday-hour rally in Abbotsford to spotlight First Transit’s failure to discount truthful wages

ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia — A strike by Fraser Valley transit operators that started on February 2 with bus drivers refusing to gather fares will ramp up on Monday and Tuesday with the complete withdrawal of companies aside from HandyDART, says CUPE 561, the union representing First Transit staff in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and the encircling area.

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On Monday, the union may even maintain a noon-hour rally at Abbotsford Metropolis Corridor to lift public consciousness concerning the problems with low wages, the dearth of a pension, and poor working situations that led to the job motion.

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“We had hoped to achieve a good collective settlement with none disruption in service, however First Transit had different concepts. The corporate can’t be stunned that we have now arrived at this level,” mentioned CUPE 561 President Jane Gibbons.

“We had been clear when this job motion started that we needed to trigger as little inconvenience as doable to the driving public. We needed to offer residents ample discover of what would possibly lie forward if First Transit didn’t come to the desk with a unique method. However the firm didn’t hear that message and easily refuses to acknowledge its duty to deliver compensation for these staff consistent with that of different transit staff within the area.”

Gibbons added that truthful compensation, together with a pension plan, will assist create a extra sustainable transit system all through the area. CUPE 561 is encouraging members of the general public to go to www.weneedalift.ca and name on their native representatives to induce First Transit to return to the desk with a good supply.

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View supply model on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/information/house/20230224005362/en/

Contacts

Jane Gibbons, CUPE 561 President: 604.936.4545
Liam O’Neill, CUPE Nationwide Consultant: 672.514.5426
Dan Gawthrop, CUPE Communications Consultant: 604.999.6132

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