Transit workers vote yes to strike mandate
All right to Transit news now, could ATTC strike be on the horizon? The union representing nearly 12,000 transit workers says its members have voted in favor of a strike mandate. And our Mark McAllister is covering this story for us. Mark, the strike vote does not guarantee there will be a work stoppage. Correct. At this point, it’s basically just a vote to to make sure that they have the mandate to go on strike. At this point, the ATU 113, like you said, 12,000 workers who operate and maintain the TTC are now in a position where they could potentially walk off the job. It happens after their latest contract ended at the end of March. I had a chance to speak with the president of the local union, Marvin Alfred, not too long ago about why they’re in this position. What made them decide? To actually reach this point and here’s what he had to say. Frustration, transit worker frustration. For a number of years. We irresponsibly had the right to strike taken away from us over a decade ago and the provincial government challenged us to not be able to remove our labor as a mechanism of getting a fair contract. Now that that that legislation has been reversed and not only that, the provincial government has to pay us our legal fees of over $600,000 as a penalty. We’re looking forward that our membership is galvanized to take action if need be to get that contract we’re entitled to get. Rick Larry, CEO of the TTC, had this to say in a statement. The TTC is aware of the strike vote taken by ATU Local 113 over the weekend. It’s important to note that seeking support for a strike is a common part of the bargaining process. However, the vote does not mean a strike is imminent and no strike deadline has been set at this time. The TTC values the important and challenging work that all our employees do every day to deliver safe and reliable service. The employees in ATU Local 113 are an integral part of our operations. And so at this point, it’s a wait and see. We have been told that they are in fact still at the table and continuing to negotiate. At this point, of course, it’s been some time since this union has had the opportunity to actually go on strike. About 13 years ago was the last time they had the opportunity. They were considered an essential service up until last year when the Ontario Court said no, they do in fact have the right to strike. And so here’s where we’re at now. All right, Mark, thank you so much for that and more at City News and five at six with Mark McAllister. Appreciate it. You’re welcome.