GO Transit workers poised to strike
Posted August 31, 2011 5:54 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A GO Transit strike is looming now that contract negotiations between management and the union representing bus drivers, coach technicians and station attendants have broken down.
Wages are the main sticking point. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 claims GO will only offer its workers an increase if it comes out of existing benefit costs. Otherwise, GO has offered no wage increase over the next two years, the union representing 1,530 workers claims.
“It’s an absolutely unreasonable position,” local ATU President Ray Doyle said. “There’s more money for management but not one cent for the workers.”
The GO workers are poised to strike Sept. 19. If they walk off the job, it would be the first-ever GO Transit strike involving ATU members.
Ninety-five per cent of workers who participated in a strike vote cast a ballot in favour of job action, which would completely disable bus service and cause some delays on train lines.
“We will continue to negotiate but we need to see steps toward fairness,” Doyle said. “Two tier programs are a failed concept and should never be considered fair for any workers.”
ATU Local 1587 also represents workers who operate and maintain York Region Transit buses for Miller Transit and First Student Canada. They’re also ready to strike.
