Commuters across much of southern Ontario may find themselves looking for alternative transportation after the union representing 2,200 GO Transit employees announced members will walk off the job starting Monday morning.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 issued a statement Sunday that it was unable to secure a new contract with Metrolinx, the operator of the regional transit service covering much of the Greater Toronto and Golden Horseshoe areas.
The strike, which will involve bus drivers, station attendants and other workers, is due to start at 00:01 on Monday. Metrolinx has previously indicated that bus service will be suspended if there is a strike, although trains will remain running.
ATU Local 1587 President Rob Cormier said bargaining talks broke down because of safety concerns about hiring contract workers from outside companies.
“The negotiations failed because Metrolinx failed to come to the table with a reasonable proposal to address any of our key concerns,” he said in the union’s statement.
“Protections against contracting out are imperative to ensure that experienced workers are on the job operating GO Transit safely and efficiently. Without these protections, Metrolinx could contract with outside companies to hire inexperienced workers in precarious, non-union positions.”
Cormier confirmed to CBC News that the union had pulled out of the negotiating table on Sunday.
Travelers are urged to plan ahead, to prepare for longer journeys
Metrolinx issued a statement saying the union withdrew from negotiations over the weekend and rejected a request to return to the table on Monday.
Ann Marie Aikins, the company’s head of media and public relations, said the transit operator was optimistic it could strike a new deal after proposing dozens of “improvements” to the collective bargaining agreement.
Aikins acknowledged the ATU’s concerns about hiring outside workers, but maintained the company has measures in place to ensure safety for everyone.
“For 22 years, we have had language in the agreement that protects the employment security of our ATU employees,” she said in a statement.
“This long-standing protection will continue to protect existing staff as well as new employees joining Metrolinx.”
Aikins encouraged customers to plan ahead, allow extra commute time and stay informed of strike developments through GO Transit’s website and social media accounts.
The ATU said negotiations with Metrolinx began in April and members have been working without a contract since June 1.
It said 81 percent of members voted against a contract proposal submitted by Metrolinx, a move Aikins previously described as disappointing. She said Sunday that the company remains “open to discussing ways forward” with the union.
The GO Transit strike comes three days after thousands of Ontario education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees walked off the job indefinitely. The ATU said it supported these workers.
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