Public Transit: Workers’ voices

Inclusion of workers’ voices is essential in decision-making processes and governance structures that protect public transit and public interest. Reforming current governance models would ensure elements of sound governance structures like, democratic accountability, safeguarding transit reliability, and centering frontline expertise in public transportation are part of governance structures and practices.

Unifor calls on provincial authorities to overhaul transit governance models across B.C.:

  1. Mandate Frontline Worker Representation on Transit Boards: Amend the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act and the British Columbia Transit Act to legally require designated, voting board seats for frontline transit worker representatives designated by union locals representing transit staff.
  2. Establish Formal Consultative Protocols: Require structured consultation with transit unions and frontline operational staff to inform decisions regarding procurement, contracting, service restructuring, or fleet acquisition.
  3. Enforce Accountability Mechanisms for Contracting Decisions: Subject all private third-party delivery models to transparent, public performance audits. 
  4. Strengthen Municipal Democratic Oversight: Expand municipal representation on provincial transit boards to ensure local councils hold decisive voting authority over service delivery, capital investment, and contractor evaluations in their jurisdictions.

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