British Columbia·NewUnifor say workers have agreed to the terms set out by a provincially-appointed mediator, and a return to work is taking place.Union says workers and employer have agreed to provincial mediator’s recommendationsCBC News · Posted: Sep 18, 2025 5:10 PM EDT | Last Updated: 11 minutes agoTransit workers in B.C.’s Cowichan Valley will be returning to the job after a seven-month strike, Unifor says. (Unifor)The union representing workers in what is believed to be B.C.’s longest-ever transit strike says job action is coming to an end.The strike in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island started Feb. 8 and has left many commuters struggling without alternative options.Unifor national president Lana Payne said in a release that her members, as well as the employer, have agreed to recommendations set out by provincially-appointed mediator Vince Ready.Those recommendations are not yet public, but Payne says they are expected to be released in the coming weeks.While the strike was over as of Thursday, she said the resumption of services will take time, as buses have been sitting idle for months and need to be evaluated for their road-worthiness.The employer, Transdev Canada, confirmed the agreement in a statement on Thursday.”This outcome represents the resolution to a very difficult chapter for everyone,” said Emily Watson, senior vice-president for Western Canada at Transdev.The company described a three-week equipment maintenance and operator training period followed by a phased approach to the resumption of service.
Cowichan Valley transit strike ending after 7 months
