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A bus on Burrard St. in Vancouver in January. Workers voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action in May.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Coast Mountain Bus Company and the union representing those who drive and maintain Metro Vancouver transit buses have reached a tentative contract agreement that would avoid a possible strike.
Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 are not releasing details of the proposed deal until it is ratified, but say in a joint statement that it recognizes the essential work members do.
Coast Mountain Bus Company president Michael McDaniel says in a separate statement that the agreement includes improvements in wages, working conditions and benefits.
In May, workers voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action after months of bargaining.
At the time, the unions said workers deserve a contract that reflects their value and skill, and the cost of living in the region.
Hundreds of thousands of passengers use Coast Mountain services every day and operates more than 96 per cent of the region’s bus service.