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Some Metro Vancouver bus services could be cancelled as soon as this Friday after workers issued a 72-hour strike notice.

It would be the first time since 2001 that there has been a disruption to bus services due to strike action. In 2001 the strike lasted four months and affected all services.

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In a prepared statement, Unifor national president Jerry Dias accused Coast Mountain Bus Company of “showing little respect for the difficult working conditions that our members must face every day.”

Over 5,000 Coast Mountain Bus Company employees are represented by Unifor Local 2200 (maintenance and SeaBus workers) and Unifor Local 111 (bus and shuttle drivers). On Oct. 10, members of both union locals voted 99 per cent in favour of going on strike to force a collective agreement. Issuing a 72-hour notice of strike action is the next step in the process and this occurred Monday afternoon.

The unions claim the sticking points are working conditions, wages and benefits.