B.C. Ferries is downplaying the likelihood of service disruptions stemming from a bus drivers’ labour dispute.
The union representing drivers at Pacific Coach Lines, which provides bus service between Victoria and Vancouver using B.C. Ferries, has said picket lines could go up at ferry terminals during the holidays.
In a statement Thursday, B.C. Ferries said that any picketing at or near B.C. Ferries terminals would be illegal if PCL does not conduct any business on B.C. Ferries property. It said it has been told by PCL that if there is a strike, PCL would suspend its bus service using B.C. Ferries.
“In the event of illegal picketing activity, B.C. Ferries would take all the necessary steps to ensure continued operation,” the corporation said.
Pacific Coach Lines also issued a statement, saying comments from Unifor, the union representing PCL bus drivers, were misleading.
“Should labour action occur, PCL will not be operating buses and will not be at B.C. Ferries terminals. Therefore, picketing undertaken at B.C. Ferries terminals would be illegal,” PCL said.
PCL has operated a cross-water bus service between Vancouver and Victoria for 55 years.
After a bidding process in the fall, PCL lost the contract for the service to Victoria-based Wilson’s Transportation, which will take over the route Feb. 1.
Unifor said 70 per cent of PCL’s workforce will be laid off because of the lost contract.
Last week, unionized PCL employees voted 79 per cent in favour of taking job action, if necessary, in a dispute over severance packages. That put them in a legal position to serve 72-hour strike notice to PCL.
Unifor had said its union members could picket the terminals as part of the dispute.
The B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, representing B.C. Ferries staff, has said it will ask its members not to cross if picket lines are set up by the bus drivers.
PCL is disputing Unifor’s information about how many employees will be laid off.
“Unifor has stated that ‘about 70 per cent of PCL’s workforce could be losing their jobs with no compensation.’ To date, less than 20 per cent of PCL’s workforce will be affected Jan. 31,” the company said. “All full-time employees being laid off are eligible and will receive severance pay per the collective agreement, including all our 20-year veterans.”
PCL said negotiations with Unifor remain at an impasse. “We respect the bargaining process and are hopeful that a settlement can be achieved without a labour disruption,” said Jim Leidl, PCL’s general manager.
