The Central Okanagan could see its first transit strike in nearly six years.

Unionized Kelowna transit drivers have voted 97 per cent in favour to approve a strike vote, if necessary, to back their contract demands.

91裸聊视频淲e took a strike vote last night (Aug. 28), said Al Peressini, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e been negotiating since February with First Transit and they haven91裸聊视频檛 brought us any money until just last week, and it was well below anything so we didn91裸聊视频檛 even take that to the membership.91裸聊视频�

Peressini told Capital News one of the biggest issues is that the transit system in the Central Okanagan needs more funding.

91裸聊视频淭he company can91裸聊视频檛 hire and retain professional, reliable workers,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hey can91裸聊视频檛 afford to live here.91裸聊视频�

Right now they91裸聊视频檙e averaging about 50 per cent of the people they train stay, added Peressini.

Once hired, drivers are not guaranteed hours, have no benefits, and work as needed, on call. Once trained and certified with a Class 2 licence and air ticket, Peressini said many drivers leave.

91裸聊视频淭hey go and find other driving jobs where they91裸聊视频檙e guaranteed 40 hours (a week), and benefits. So we91裸聊视频檙e after a living wage for our members.91裸聊视频�

Peressini added because of a driver shortage many routes are not being covered properly or at all.

91裸聊视频淭o me that91裸聊视频檚 wrong,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淎 company is hired to provide a service, yet they aren91裸聊视频檛 providing the service.91裸聊视频�

Although drivers have voted to approve a strike vote, it doesn91裸聊视频檛 mean they will necessarily walk off the job.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 our last resort,91裸聊视频� explained Peressini. 91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 want to disrupt service for customers. 91裸聊视频淭he area is growing and transit should be growing to meet the demand, but the private company is not doing it.91裸聊视频�

Drivers have been without a contract since March this year. The last transit strike in the Central Okanagan was 2016.

READ MORE: Witnesses speak out on wild party in Kelowna ending in arrests and pepper spray

READ MORE: Another section of Mission Creek Greenway reopens after June flooding

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.