On the first day of a strike that has shut down GO Transit bus operations throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe, bus drivers are picketing outside Toronto’s Union station.
After failing to reach an agreement on a new contract over the weekend, Metrolinx, the company that manages GO Transit, and the union that represents the workers went on strike today.
Stations are open and GO Transit trains are still running.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 says Metrolinx failed to put forward a proposal Sunday that addressed some key bargaining issues, including commitments to hire more full-time employees and protections against hiring contract workers from outside companies.
The union says it is ready to resume talks if Metrolinx makes a better offer, but it also wants to lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Labour alleging Metrolinx engaged in bad faith bargaining.
In response to a request to resume talks on Monday, the union left weekend negotiations, according to a statement from Metrolinx.
The two sides have been negotiating a new agreement since April and the union has been working without a contract since June..
Due to failed contract negotiations, some 2,200 GO Transit employees are on strike.
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