Kelowna Cabs has made good on threat to lock out dispatchers, after 72-hour notice expires

Photo: Facebook

Kelowna Cabs has locked the doors on its five unionized dispatchers.

The company was in a legal position to do so after a 72-hour lockout notice, issued Tuesday, expired at noon Friday.

The lockout notice was issued as talks between the company and MoveUp, the union representing the workers broke down.

Dispatchers at Kelowna Cabs have been without a contract since May of 2019.

The company is attempting to transfer the dispatching of cabs from the local office to an overseas call centre.

Kelowna Cabs attempted to layoff its dispatchers last year, in favour of moving to an app-based dispatch system, however the BC Labour Relations Board rescinded that notice, saying the company was not bargaining in "good faith."

As for today's lockout, company spokesperson Roy Paulson would say only it's business as usual.

"Somebody will be answering the phones," he says.