Jamie OB次元官网网址橬eill of Chilliwack says the transit strike in the eastern Fraser Valley could end up costing him his job in the film industry.
B次元官网网址淚 am looking at moving out of Chilliwack now because I am screwed,B次元官网网址 OB次元官网网址橬eill said.
The single dad has been working continuity on a TV show in Vancouver for three years. He actually moved out to the valley secure in the knowledge that route #66 B次元官网网址 the Fraser Valley Express B次元官网网址 was in place so he could ride into Vancouver when needed.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a good situation for people like me who rely on the bus. ItB次元官网网址檚 an essential service.B次元官网网址
RELATED:
At the end of January, and into early February the early transit disruptions were expensive for OB次元官网网址橬eill, who described himself as low-income. He does not drive due to medical issues, and both he and his son have disabilities.
B次元官网网址淟ast month I had to come up with $200 plus to get to work and back, on cabs and Uber.B次元官网网址
Job action by transit workers ramped up Monday (March 20) with CUPE 561 announcing a walkout by drivers and other workers, which suspended all transit routes in the eastern Fraser Valley until further notice.
OB次元官网网址橬eill said he is sympathetic to the plight of the transit workers who B次元官网网址渟hould be paid a fair wage, but we shouldnB次元官网网址檛 have to be the ones suffering because of that,B次元官网网址 he said.
The strike came after three days of failed negotiations, in a long negotiation process with First Transit, which operates the service for BC Transit.
The latest five-year contract offer came with salary increase of up to 16 per cent.
BC Transit officials said they are B次元官网网址渃losely monitoring the situationB次元官网网址 since all conventional transit routes in the Fraser Valley were suspended in Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz-Harrison and Hope.
BC Transit also apologized to customers for the inconvenience: B次元官网网址淲e understand the frustration felt by customers, and that the job action is difficult for everyone involved in the region.B次元官网网址
HandyDART is at essential service levels, for those seeking cancer treatment, those with multiple sclerosis, and renal dialysis.
The prospect of being forced to leave Chilliwack is daunting, said OB次元官网网址橬eill. He has family close by, with support for his son in school.
B次元官网网址淭his is costing me so much work. I think they just need to pay the employees. ItB次元官网网址檚 affecting the ridership,B次元官网网址 OB次元官网网址橬eill said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to hurt them.B次元官网网址
(1/4) 鈿狅笍 Central B次元官网网址 CUPE 561 operating under First Transit is taking further strike action on Monday (Mar 20) by suspending service in & , including route 66 Fraser Valley Express.
B次元官网网址 BC Transit (@BCTransit)
RELATED:
Do you have something to add to this story, or a news tip? Email:
jennifer.feinberg@theprogress.com
Like us on and follow us on .