With the three-day transit strike looming, Metro Vancouver’s business community is urging both sides to come to an agreement.
“For many small businesses, such a significant transit disruption could make it difficult to keep the doors open if employees are unable to make it to and from work,” Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, said in a press release.
“The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade urges both sides to remain in negotiations until a deal is reached and avoid a system-wide shut down. It’s time to work together to reach a resolution and end this period of uncertainty.”
The board of trade, which represents more than 5,000 members across the region, believes the three-day transit shutdown would have enormous ramifications on the local economy and would negatively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents who rely on transit to get to work, school, or medical appointments every day, the release states.
“The potential for a system-wide shutdown is very worrisome for our region’s business community,” Anderson said. “We are living in times of economic uncertainty and a widespread transit disruption in the Lower Mainland could compound the negative impact on our region’s economy.”
That statement was echoed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), which Tuesday called for Coast Mountain Bus Company and Unifor to work together to reach a resolution to avoid any further disruptions.
“It is in the best interest for small businesses, employees, customers and the local economy that all parties resolve outstanding issues before Wednesday,” said Muriel Protzer, CFIB policy analyst.
“In the meantime, employers and employees are working closely together to find alternatives to public transit to ensure staff are able to make it to their shifts.”
Last minute talks were scheduled for Tuesday. Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's lead negotiator, said Monday the union is prepared to negotiate until midnight Wednesday and if no agreement is reached, a three-day strike will begin.
- With files from The Canadian Press
@JessicaEKerr
