A lockout of up to 110 unionized bus drivers and mechanics was narrowly averted earlier this week after Brewster Transportation came through with a last minute offer.
Both Brewster and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATA) say they are hopeful an agreement on a new three-year contract can be reached, which for the most part, appears to centre on pay increases and overtime.
“We are very hopeful that we can come to an agreement,” said Joanna Buckingham, Brewster’s senior marketing manager in Banff.
A spokesperson for ATA Local 1374 said Brewster management came forward with an offer at 3 p.m. Monday (Jan. 10), narrowly averting a lockout on Tuesday (Jan. 11).
“It’s going to a vote on Jan. 31, so the lockout has been put off until counting of the ballots,” said Gary Galbreath, president of the ATA Local 1374.
“We’d like to avoid a lockout; a lockout doesn’t do anybody any good. You’re out for a couple weeks, you never get two weeks pay back. I think it’s a fair offer and I’m hopeful they’ll take it.”
The union is asking for a three per cent raise in the first year, a three per cent raise in the second year, and a three per cent raise in the third year. Talks have been taking place since the current contract expired Dec. 1.
Galbreath said the biggest issue for the unionized employees centred on pay, noting they kept turning down the amount of overtime on the table.
“They weren’t being paid overtime under the full rate; they were losing a lot of money there,” he said.
