Thread by @SoniaFurstenau

Transit staff in the #FraserValley have been on strike for 7 weeks.

These workers are underpaid & overworked by a private company the @bcndp have outsourced to provide an essential public service.

Their employer hasn't stepped up to negotiate & the gov't is silent. 1/ #bcpoli

Fraser Valley residents are frustrated, but they understand the plight of CUPE 561.

Drivers in the region make 32% less than those in neighboring areas.

They work long standby hours making less than $3/hour. They have no pension plan. 2/ #bcpoli
cbc.ca/news/canada/br…

This is what happens when governments outsource public services to for-profit corporations without safeguards.

Although the buses are owned by #BCTransit, they are in fact operated by a private company – and that company is nickel and diming its workers. 3/ #bcpoli @cupenat

We saw this same issue last year when #SeatoSky drivers went on the longest transit strike in BC's history.

Negotiators took over 4 months to reach an agreement that offered workers fair wages & fair treatment.

Transit workers across BC need & deserve a living wage. 4/ #bcpoli

Today I asked Premier @Dave_Eby if he'll end the private outsourcing of essential public operations & ensure workers like those on strike in the #FraserValley earn a living wage.

He didn’t answer, but @Rob_Fleming made it clear that the outsourcing will continue. 5/ #bcpoli

Public operations should be publicly run to avoid situations like this.

The @bcndp claim to be the party for workers, but it's clear this only extends to their branding, rhetoric & fundraising campaigns — not meaningful action on workers' behalf. 6/ #bcpoli

#FraserValley residents are spending 100s on taxis & Ubers amidst an affordability crisis.

We've seen this happen before & it will happen again, unless the @bcndp ensures public services are reliable by taking ownership & providing workers with living wages. 7/7 #bcpoli #CUPE561