The pending sale of First Transit, the company that operates the Kelowna Regional Transit System, to a French-based firm is concerning to the union representing workers in the Central Okanagan.

Transdev Group has signed an agreement to acquire First Transit乌鸦传媒檚 Canadian and U.S. operations. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1722 President, Al Peressini has been briefed on the sale by the union乌鸦传媒檚 international president.

乌鸦传媒淚t is a little bit concerning, said Peresinni. 乌鸦传媒淭his is the fifth management company that乌鸦传媒檚 been in Kelowna. This Transdev is out of France, another foreign company, so all the profits will be going to France now.乌鸦传媒�

First Transit is currently owned by Swedish global investment firm EQT. Transdev operates in 18 countries, including Canada, running transit systems in Quebec and Ontario. Peressini said he doesn乌鸦传媒檛 expect the sale will affect a plan to prevent the renewal of First Transit乌鸦传媒檚 contract, which expires in March 2023. That issue came to light on Oct. 5 at a news conference during a one-day transit strike, and was brought up by outgoing mayor Colin Basran.

乌鸦传媒淎s a result of conversations we乌鸦传媒檝e had with BC Transit, that will not be happening,乌鸦传媒� said Basran at the time. 乌鸦传媒淲e have started conversations with the transport minister on what a new service delivery model may look like for our community.乌鸦传媒�

Peressini added those plans are still in play.

乌鸦传媒淚 haven乌鸦传媒檛 been able to find out if that extension has been given or not. I乌鸦传媒檝e asked some questions and I乌鸦传媒檓 getting different answers.乌鸦传媒�

He said he乌鸦传媒檚 hopeful BC Transit will agree to make the Kelowna regional system public again, and the union will be looking to city council for support.

乌鸦传媒淭here乌鸦传媒檚 a lot of transit-friendly councillors and they were all for it, so we乌鸦传媒檒l be calling them,乌鸦传媒� said Peressini.

The union has been involved in a labour dispute with First Transit which culminated in a one-day strike on Oct. 5. The two sides have agreed to let Vancouver-based arbitrator Ken Saunders settle their dispute. Peressini said the sale does not affect the mediation.

乌鸦传媒淒ecember 15 and 16, we have set some firm dates with Mr. Saunders.乌鸦传媒�

The sale of First Transit to Transdev will take 60 to 90 days to go through the regulatory process before it can be approved.

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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