Transit union says gun pulled on striking Kelowna bus driver

The union representing striking transit workers in the Central Okanagan says a man pulled a gun on a striking bus driver outside Kelowna's Orchard Park Mall Monday morning.

Police now say the weapon was a pellet gun. 

The incident was reported to have happened just after 10 a.m. PT Monday as transit workers picketed at a mall bus stop. 

Bus drivers said the man screamed at the picketers to get back to work. He then allegedly pulled out the weapon, pointed it at a driver and sped away on a bike. No one was injured.

"It's unbelievable. I'm still processing this," said Scott Lovell, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722.

"We are exercising our rights as Canadians to picket in a public place and to have someone come by and pull a weapon on one of our picketers? This is Canada, right?"

Transit workers have been off the job since Nov. 10. Contract talks remain at a standstill.

Suspect in custody

"Investigators have recovered a pellet gun they believe was used in the commission of the offence," said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey in a statement.

Kelowna RCMP said a 29-year-old man was taken into custody and faces potential charges.

The union said workers who may need support services or counselling following the incident will have to access it through RCMP Victim Services as workers are not receiving health benefits during the job action.

A transit rally is planned for outside Orchard Park Mall on Saturday.