T.T.C. Back In Service Even Though Worker Issues Persist
Posted May 30, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After a city-crippling eleven-hour strike, the Red Rocket is rolling once more.
T.T.C. subways, buses and streetcars have returned to full service a day after the illegal labour action by workers that left 800,000 commuters stranded on one of the hottest days of the year so far and cost the transit system $2 million in lost revenue.
The walkout, which began Monday morning and took many riders by surprise, ended at about 3pm after the Ontario Labour Relations Board issued two cease and desist orders and threatened union heads with fines and jail time over what it considered an illegal act.
Buses and streetcars returned to the streets shortly thereafter and full service was back by 9pm.
Riders seemed relieved to have the service back on Tuesday, but weren’t impressed by the way the transit union went about airing its grievances.
“I have no sympathy for how they went about doing it whatsoever,” said rider Heather Wilson. “As they said in the newspaper, they blindsided everyone. It was unfortunate and I’m not impressed at all.”
The transit commission is reportedly considering reimbursing Metropass holders as much as $5 for the inconvenience.
Bob Kinnear, head of the Amalgamated Transit Union, promised workers who walked off the job Monday that the lingering issues of safety and shift changes would be addressed.
“Rest assured, brothers and sisters, this fight is not over,” he promised in visiting with a group of disgruntled workers as the strike was called off. “They may think they have won the battle, but I assure you, we will win the war. Let’s get out there, renew our ties with the public and bring them on side.”
As they try to mend some badly broken fences, the system is back running – and as a result, so is the city.
