Transit strike looms after overwhelming strike vote
Posted Jan 23, 2012 05:03:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Transit users in HRM are being warned to brace for a transit strike that could happen late next week.
Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508 voted 98.4 per cent to reject the city’s latest contract offer during a vote on Sunday.
A 14-day countdown to a possible work stoppage began when the conciliator filed his report on Jan.18, and the vote puts the union in a legal position to strike and management in a legal position to lock out its workers.
The union, which represents 750 bus operators, transit fleet mechanics, ferry crew and other transit workers, is required to provide 48-hour notice of a legal walkout.
“I’d like to put the citizens on alert and on notice, and the employer on notice for that matter, we’ll do it officially today, that if a deal is not reached by the end of Feb. 1 there will be no buses on the road as of Feb. 2,” union president Ken Wilson told News 95.7 Monday morning.
Wilson said one of the big reasons he advised union members to reject the contract was because it allowed management to bring in outside contract workers.
That was the same issue which caused a five-week long strike in 1998.
Metro Transit Management expressed disappointment in a media release following the vote.
“We put forward a contract package, inclusive of wage increases, that would allow us to build a sustainable, reliable transit service for the future,” said Metro Transit director Eddie Robar. “The vote is a disappointment but we remain resolved to get a contract.”
The union too said it wants to continue negotiations and avoid a work stoppage.
“Let see some real leadership out of City Hall,” said Wilson. “There are only two names that go on this contract: (Mayor) Peter Kelly’s and Ken Wilson’s. I’m ready to get back to the bargaining table if Peter wants to get down and discuss this.”
Wilson said he hoped discussions would resume by the end of the day today.
“If not, it’s wait and see,” said Wilson. “Each day that goes by is another day closer. The last thing we want to do is upset the citizens.”
Callers to News 95.7 are already anticipating a work stoppage at what will be one of the most inconvenient times of year.
“I lived in Ottawa a couple of years ago when they went on strike and they decided to do it during the winter as well,” Chris told Maritime Morning Weekend edition. “It was the worst time of my life, gridlock, everyone had to walk for hours in the cold.”
“It’s a necessary service,” Pat told the talk show. “How would they like to be a senior citizen and try, this time of year, hauling groceries?”
About 96,000 people use Metro Transit every day.
