Translink is planning to scale down services system-wide between December 24th and December 31st, a move that the Canadian Autoworkers Union says is detrimental to transit users and is in breach of their union’s contract.

“They do not have the unilateral right to introduce this working condition change,” said Autoworkers local 111 Vice President Jim Houlahan. “We have never had a special week sheet in a hundred years of unionized transit work here.”

Arbitration over the alleged breach has been completed and both sides are awaiting a decision.

Translink plans on instituting a modified Sunday level for most bus services across the week, even during rush-hour periods. Other transit systems will be shifted to higher frequency midday.

Stan Sierpina, vice-president of customer service for Coast Mountain Bus Company, said that the adjustments to the schedule will help save taxpayers money.

“As opposed to service cuts,” said Sierpina, “it’s more service rationalization. We’re more closely matching supply and demand during that week as people don’t go to work and don’t go to school.

“We don’t want to have too many seats chasing too few people, it would be just unwise use of taxpayers’ dollars.”

Houlahan urges transit users to be patient with operators and to understand that they have been understaffed for the week.

Originally Published in the 24 Hours Vancouver. Print version available upon request.