Union says 'final attempt' to reach deal with Transit Windsor to start Friday

A “final attempt” at trying to reach an agreement between Transit Windsor and its some 300 workers will be made this coming weekend.

In a statement issued by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), it said a federal mediator who met with both sides this past weekend will have them reconvene for another three days starting this Friday — adding transit service will continue throughout the next week.

ATU International vice president Manny Sforza accused the service provider of “bad faith bargaining,” by returning to the table without an intention of closing a deal.

“The federal mediator seemed optimistic calling the parties back to the table … but it appears that they are just playing games — wasting time and taxpayers’ money,” he said.

The city of Windsor’s commissioner of infrastructure services responded with a “no comment” to CBC News when asked about negotiations and the union’s claims.

However, Mark Winterton did say the city looks forward to “successfully negotiating a collective agreement.”

Riders line up for a Transit Windsor bus. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

The union maintains the key sticking points in talks centre around 10 mandated paid sick days.

“Ensuring paid sick days for workers is not just a labour issue,” said ATU International president John Costa.

“It’s a fundamental commitment to the well-being of our workforce and our community.”

For the first time since 2020, the union issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier this month but then temporarily delayed any action before the deadline.

Unionized transit workers in Windsor have been in a legal strike position since Dec. 3, 2023.