GO Train delays amplified by Union Station workers strike: Metrolinx
Posted April 21, 2022 11:30 am.
Last Updated April 21, 2022 11:48 am.
A rail switch issue caused service disruptions to some GO trains on Thursday morning and Metrolinx says the delays are being exacerbated by striking Union Station workers.
The switch issue east of Union Station has been resolved, but not before it caused delays and cancellations on the Lakeshore East and Stouffville lines.
“There is a switch issue in the Union Station Rail Corridor that has been fixed,” says Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins. “Is it strike-related? Somewhat. The congestion in the Union Station corridor is more difficult to manage during the labour disruption by Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) workers.”
Aikins says replacement buses are in place to help deal with the backups caused by the problems.
She predicted commuters could face 10 to 15-minute delays and several train trips during the morning and afternoon peaks could be cancelled as a result of the labour stoppage. There were no service disruptions to GO Transit and UP Express trains on the first day of the strike.
Passengers are advised to check the GO service schedule before their trip.
A board at Union Station shows GO train delays and cancellations on April 21, 2022. (Giancarlo DeSantis/CityNews)
Nearly 100 TTR employees walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. The workers are mainly responsible for signals and communication maintenance as well as train control at the Union Station rail corridor.
The workers are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union and have been without a contract since December 2019. TTR says wages have been a contentious point during the negotiations.
The union is accusing the company of failing to negotiate seriously.
“With no real value added to the previous memorandum of settlement that was voted down, we were left with no choice but to commence a legal work stoppage,” said the union’s Senior General Chairman Steven Martin in a statement. “The Union remains committed to working with the Company to reach a fair and reasonable settlement.”
Aikins says the two sides are hoping to return to the bargaining table soon but could not provide a timeline.
The strike is not expected to affect TTC subway service.
Union Station is Canada’s busiest passenger transportation hub, with approximately 200,000 GO Train commuters passing through the station each day.
