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The Longest BC Transit Strike in History
Yeeeesss, let's talk about that transit strike, why don't we? It was going on for about seven weeks before I came here, and I kept hoping to discover it'd end, but no, it's the strike that lasts forever. I've finally got news on it now, and it's supposed to end August 7, so I'll be leaving two, count 'em, two days before they busses come back. Joy. So anyhow, as near as I can figure, there's two major points of contention between the drivers and the Coast Mountain Bus Company. The first is that the drivers want higher wages, and the second is that they don't want the Company to either hire part time workers or privatize anything. Neither side is giving in, and it's taken till now, the fifth month of the strike for the BC provincial government to legislate the end of the strike. My opinion on the matter is that one of several options should have been used sooner:
- Line up the drivers and managers of the company, then each day no solution is reached, kill one. Then lets see how eager both sides are to deal.
- Dissolve both the company and the union. Start from scratch. From what I can gather, the buses weren't doing to hot before the strike anyhow
- What is some charter company were just to start offering "tours" of downtown Vancouver and the suburbs?.... hmmmm
Anyhow, I figure the strike has had two major effects on me personally: I figure I've put about 300 miles onto my shoes, either by cycling or walking. And my notion of what's "within walking distance" has grown incredibly.
As far as citywide effects, this is what I've gathered:
- Tourist Attractions are reporting about 15% less business. After all, the tourists that do decide to visit despite the strike can't get anywhere
- Small shops of the type that attract window shoppers have reported record low profits at one of the two major shopping seasons. Some as low as 80% less than normal. Those that haven't closed down entirely face a bleak winter, as they don't have the cash to stock up on merchandise for the christmas season
- Evening taxi service is also being diminished. Since people have to spend thier money paying for taxis to get around during the day, they don't go out places they need a taxi to get to at night
- The used bike store nearby has reported a dramatic increase in sales
- Hitchhiking has become a citywide hobby. I've been too cautious to attempt that myself...
- They guy who runs the Coast Mountain Company Busses has become BC's most reviled man
- City council meetings have become closed affairs, due to the fact that protesters have started mobbing the meetings demanding an end to the strike
- Riding SkyTrain in from the suburbs has been "free" due to the fact that the fare collectors aren't collecting fares