The union representing bus drivers across Metro Vancouver says it has rejected Coast Mountain Bus Company’s latest offer and will respond with job action.

However, Unifor says service will not suffer as a result of this job action. Beginning Aug. 17, members will stop wearing their uniforms as a way of sending a message without disrupting service.

“Riders should be clear about what this is and what it is not,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

“Service is not shutting down. Our members are going to work, driving their routes and doing their jobs. This is a measured first step, and whether anything further is needed is entirely in the employer’s hands.”

Union members voted to reject the first deal at the end of June. At the time, Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 said members were “not rushing to job action” after the rejection, saying the unions would work on the changes their members wanted to see in the tentative agreement.

The second tentative contract deal was announced July 21.

Unifor national president Lana Payne says the dispute is about working conditions.

“Wages matter, but our members are telling Coast Mountain Bus Company that the day-to-day realities of the job must be fixed,” Payne said.

“That is what is standing in the way of a deal.”

The Coast Mountain Bus Company operates more than 96 per cent of Metro Vancouver’s bus services.