SkyTrain strike averted: Union, TransLink reach tentative deal

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 7000 and BC Rapid Transit Co. reached a tentative agreement early this morning, narrowly averting a planned SkyTrain strike that would have shut down the Expo and Millennium lines today.

Details of the tentative pact — which would cover about 900 SkyTrain workers — won’t be released until it's ratified, union officials said in a press release.

The previous contract between TransLink-BC Rapid Transit and CUPE 7000 expired Aug. 31. The union represents SkyTrain attendants, control operators, and administrative, maintenance and technical staff.

"Both parties worked long and hard throughout the weekend, Monday and in to Tuesday morning to get this deal done," said CUPE 7000 President Tony Rebelo.

Added BC Rapid Transit President Michel Ladrak: "This is great news for our customers who depend on our services."

TransLink had planned to cease service on the Expo and Millennium lines if the strike had been launched as planned at 5 a.m. (PST). The Vancouver agency estimated the job action would have prompted about 15,000 more vehicles to travel on roads during rush hour, and caused overcrowding on TransLink’s buses, Canada Line and West Coast Express service.

There will be some delays on the Expo and Millennium lines today while BC Rapid Transit works to resume regular schedules, Ladrak said.