Kelowna bus drivers’ union speaks out about BC Transit labour shortage
Global News
The union blames the shortage of workers, in part, on compensation, benefits and working conditions.
Kelowna, B.C., transit riders may have noticed it’s a little harder to catch a bus lately.
BC Transit announced it was reducing service by around 15 per cent at the start of January due to a labour shortage.
“We were a little disappointed but understandably they are having a hard time attracting qualified experienced drivers,” said Al Peressini, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722.
The union represents transit staff in Kelowna and Merritt.
It blames the shortage of workers on compensation, benefits and working conditions.
Peressini said drivers in Kelowna are hired as casual workers to start.
The union said wages in Kelowna start at almost $24 and alleges its drivers in Kelowna are being treated differently than BC Transit operators in Victoria.
“I would like to see a fair living wage with pensions, good benefits for all employees like they receive in Victoria,” Peressini said.