Eight days of mediated talks involving 900 workers are slated to start November 28

The union representing Skytrain workers, CUPE 7000, is set to announce results of strike vote Thursday

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – CUPE 7000, which represents SkyTrain workers, is set to announce results of a strike vote Thursday following a bargaining impasse with B.C. Rapid Transit Company last week.

Eight days of mediated talks involving 900 workers are slated to start Nov. 28.

CUPE 7000 President Tony Rebelo is still holding out hope a new contract can be reached before any job action is taken.

“We are still focused on getting a deal without any type of job action to get a fair deal done at the table without having any type of service disruption. We’re committed on our side to get a deal. It’s now the employer has to get committed to get a deal with us.”

CUPE says in a statement issued Tuesday that the B.C. Rapid Transit Company, which operates SkyTrain, turned down its latest proposal for new bargaining dates, setting off the strike vote.

“We want them to take this bargaining process seriously. Seriously, let’s get a deal done. If they care about the passengers as much as our members do and making sure that we have no service disruptions, then they’ll come to the table,” Rebelo says.

The union says the vote will be complete by Thursday and results will be announced shortly afterward.

CUPE represents about 900 SkyTrain workers such as SkyTrain attendants, control operators, administration, maintenance, and technical staff.

The Canada Line and West Coast Express lines will not be impacted.