Mediated talks collapse, strike continues in lengthy Sea-to-Sky transit dispute

Mediated talks between striking bus drivers in the Sea-to-Sky region and their employer have ended almost as quickly as they began.

Unifor, representing about 80 transit workers in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, says talks began and ended yesterday when PW Transit, the third-party contractor for BC Transit, would not consider union proposals for wage parity with bus drivers in Metro Vancouver and Victoria.

But a statement from the contractor says it put forward two wage offers and is disappointed the union walked away without putting either one to its members.

A transit strike in the Sea-to-Sky area has been underway since the end of January and the union says no new talks are scheduled.