Mayor Rob Douglas of North Cowichan, B.C., is calling on the provincial government to intervene in the nearly five-month-long transit strike in the Cowichan Valley. Bus and HandyDART operators, employed by private company Transdev (contracted by B.C. Transit), have been on strike since February, seeking higher wages and better working conditions. The strike has halted most services, frustrating residents. Despite a rejected deal in April, the province has been reluctant to intervene, though the Labour Minister is now considering "other possibilities" under the labour code.
Mayor calls on province to intervene in nearly 5-month-long Vancouver Island transit strike
CBC Vancouver IslandTransdevCowichan Valley transit strikeBritish ColumbiaCowichan ValleyNorth CowichanVictoriaBC TransitMayor Rob DouglasLabour unions
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Mayor Rob Douglas of North Cowichan, B.C., is calling on the provincial government to intervene in the nearly five-month-long transit strike in the Cowichan Valley. Bus and HandyDART operators, employed by private company Transdev (contracted by B.C. Transit), have been on strike since February, seeking higher wages and better working conditions. The strike has halted most services, frustrating residents. Despite a rejected deal in April, the province has been reluctant to intervene, though the Labour Minister is now considering "other possibilities" under the labour code.
Trending- 1 February: Transit operators walked off the job in Cowichan Valley.
- 2 April: Negotiators reached a deal, but it was overwhelmingly rejected by union members.
- 3 Wednesday (May 28): Mayor Rob Douglas called on the province to intervene.
- 4 In the coming days: Labour Minister expects a progress report from the mediator.
- Halted regular bus services
- Limited HandyDART rides
- Frustration for residents
- Economic impact on the community
- Ongoing labour dispute
What: Mayor Rob Douglas of North Cowichan is urging the British Columbia provincial government to intervene in a nearly five-month-long transit strike in the Cowichan Valley.
When: Published May 28, 2025; since February (strike began), nearly five months (strike duration), April (deal rejected), "in the coming days" (mediator's report).
Where: Cowichan Valley (British Columbia), North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, Victoria.
Why: Transit operators are striking for higher wages (to shrink pay gap with Victoria workers) and better working conditions (washroom breaks). The strike has caused significant disruption and frustration for residents.
How: Mayor Douglas is publicly calling for provincial intervention, potentially binding arbitration. The Labour Relations Board is providing mediation. The Labour Minister is awaiting a progress report and considering options.