York transit strike averted as workers vote to accept contract
Posted February 25, 2011 7:14 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A transit strike has been averted in York Region after workers voted 114-83 on Friday to accept a tentative deal.
The members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 originally rejected the settlement with Veolia Transportation in a Feb. 16 vote, then petitioned the union to call a re-vote.
The settlement included a 10.5 per cent pay increase spread over four years, a $600 signing bonus, and a premium for maintenance employees on the night shift. The workers had initially taken issue with the four sick days per year (at six hours pay per day) and the health benefits.
Veolia is one of four private contractors providing services for York Region Transit and operates 24 routes serving residents mainly in Vaughan, but also in Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Markham and King Township.
