Commuters throughout a lot of southern Ontario might discover themselves scrambling for various means of transport after the union representing 2,200 GO Transit staff introduced members could be strolling off the job as of Monday morning.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 issued a press release on Sunday saying it was unable to safe a brand new contract with Metrolinx, the operator of the regional transport service overlaying a lot of the Greater Toronto and Golden Horseshoe areas.
The strike, which is able to contain bus operators, station attendants and different staff, is ready to get underway at 12:01 a.m. on Monday. Metrolinx has beforehand indicated that bus service might be suspended if a strike takes place, although trains will stay in service.
ATU Local 1587 president Rob Cormier mentioned bargaining talks broke down over security issues associated to hiring contract workers from exterior firms.
“Negotiations have failed because Metrolinx failed to come to the table with a reasonable offer to address any of our key issues,” he mentioned within the union assertion. “Protections against contracting out are imperative to ensure that experienced workers are on the job running GO Transit safely and efficiently. Without these protections, Metrolinx can contract to outside companies which will hire inexperienced workers in precarious, non-union positions.”
Metrolinx didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon the looming job motion. Anne Marie Aikins, the corporate’s head of media and public relations, has beforehand inspired prospects to plan forward, put together further time for commutes and keep knowledgeable on strike developments by way of GO Transit’s web site and social media accounts.
ATU has mentioned negotiations with Metrolinx started in April and members have been working with no contract since June 1. It mentioned 81 per cent of members voted in opposition to a contract provide put ahead by the corporate, a transfer Aikins has beforehand described as disappointing.
The strike comes three days after hundreds of Ontario training workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees walked off the job indefinitely. ATU has mentioned it helps these workers.