Victoria transit workers poised for strike vote after talks break down

More than 700 BC Transit workers in Greater Victoria are preparing for possible job action after contract negotiations with the Crown corporation broke down over the weekend following roughly 14 months of talks.

Unifor Local 333 represents about 610 transit operators and 120 maintenance and support workers in the Victoria Regional Transit System.

Union president Stephen Bains said workers rejected the latest offer.

“We reached an impasse early in the morning Saturday,” Bains told CTV News

“The offer on the table fails to meet the mandate that our members have given the bargaining committee.”

Bains said the dispute reflects broader concerns about respect and conditions on the job.

“Quite honestly, we’re finding ourselves here in 2026 having to still fight for our dignity and being respected by our employer,” he said.

Union members are expected to hold a strike vote later this week.

Key concerns include workplace safety and sick leave provisions, alongside pressures operators say they face during daily service.

“Our job is becoming more and more difficult as we’re exposed to more drug use from our ridership,” Bains said. “The violence seems to be on an upward trajectory.”

He said workers are increasingly dealing with incidents on the job, contributing to rising mental health leave among staff.

The union is also pushing for changes to what it calls “recovery time” scheduled buffer periods intended to keep buses on schedule while giving operators time between trips.

“In many cases, the recovery times fail to provide sufficient time for operators to actually do what they need to do,” Banes said. “For example, eat a meal or walk to and from the washroom.”

BC Transit employees in Victoria are direct employees of the provincial Crown corporation.

Service in Greater Victoria continues to operate normally for now.

It remains unclear how any potential job action could affect transit service if workers vote in favour of strike action later this week.