Metro Vancouver transit strike - confirmed

CUPE Local 4500, a union representing 180 Coast Mountain Bus Company Transit Supervisors, have confirmed they are escalating labour action to shut down bus service across Metro Vancouver, starting today (January 22). 

This has resulted in a full-scale shut down of bus and SeaBus services for at least 48 hours. At this time, it is not expected to affect SkyTrain, Canada Line, HandyDART, West Coast Express and other contracted services, which should continue to operate.

A status update has been posted to https://www.ubc.ca with the following guidance for students, faculty and staff:

• Students: Check for communications from your instructor to indicate if other arrangements are being made, such as classes moving online or content being provided asynchronously.
• Faculty: Contact your department head, school director, or dean, as appropriate.
• Staff: Employees who perform work that requires in-person attendance are expected to come to work. Speak to your supervisor if you are concerned about not being able to travel to campus or arriving late. Employees should seek direction from your manager about whether alternative arrangements, such as hybrid work, are appropriate. Managers may contact their Human Resources Advisor for further information as required.

Additional resources and useful FAQs have recently been posted and you are encouraged to read them at https://www.ubc.ca. You can also get up-to-date information on transit operations at https://alerts.translink.ca. 

This is an evolving situation and UBC has a working group meeting regularly to explore ways to mitigate the impact on our community. Updates will continue to be posted to https://www.ubc.ca over the next few days.

Bhushan Gopaluni
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning