CAW Serves 72 Hour Strike Notice to Pacific Coach Lines

VANCOUVER , Dec. 29 /CNW/ - The CAW served a 72 hour strike notice to Pacific Coach Lines (PCL) this morning, with a strike deadline of January 2, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.

CAW Local 114 (www.caw114.bc.ca) represents a bargaining unit of 127 workers at Pacific Coach Lines including drivers, mechanics, service staff and ticket agents. Major outstanding bargaining concerns include wages, benefits, pension contributions, and job security clauses.

"We are seeking a fair agreement for the workers who have made PCL the success it is today," said CAW National Representative Gavin McGarrigle. "A strike at PCL will likely lead to a complete shutdown of operations in Victoria, Vancouver , and Whistler."

The workers at PCL voted 91 per cent in favour of strike action on November 26 and 27, 2009.

The CAW contract with PCL expired on March 31, 2009 and negotiations have been ongoing since July 2009 . The Union met with the Company for over 15 days of negotiations including mediation at the BC Labour Relations Board with no success.

Pacific Coach Lines provides scheduled cross-water bus service from downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver on board BC Ferries and also through to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Pacific Coach Lines also has an exclusive contract to transport passengers from the Vancouver Airport to Whistler in a service branded as Whistler Skylynx.

For further information: Gavin McGarrigle, National Representative at [phone] or email [email protected]