After voting to reject Metrolinx’s most recent offer, more than 2,000 GO Transit employees are scheduled to begin a strike on Monday, according to the union that represents the employees.
The 2,200 employees had originally intended to strike on October 31, but last Wednesday they postponed the action so they could evaluate and vote on the most recent offer, according to a statement from Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 on Friday.
According to the union, 81% of those who voted on the most recent offer did so in favour of a strike.
Rob Cormier, president of Local 1587, declared, “We have had enough. Starting on Monday, we will walk the picket lines until we achieve a deal that safeguards job security for our existing and future members.
“However, we remain committed to meeting with Metrolinx to reach a deal that addresses our concerns and other issues to ensure a safe and reliable transit system for our riders.
Members of ATU Local 1587 include GO Transit bus drivers, station hosts, maintenance staff, transit safety officers, and administrative staff.
“Our members have been very clear about it. If an agreement doesn’t address our main issue, contracting out, we won’t accept it, Cormier added.
Every other transit agency in our region follows these fundamental safeguards against contracting out in order to guarantee that skilled people are on the job to maintain the safety of the buses.
Without these protections, Metrolinx can contract to outside companies unfamiliar with the fleet which will hire inexperienced workers at the lowest of wages. ”
The union pointed out that CUPE education workers have already gone on strike due to an ongoing disagreement with the Ford administration.
John Costa, the president of ATU International, declared that they stand with “the entire Ontario labour movement in a common fight against a government that would rather destroy essential public services and strongarm workers than negotiate a contract that ensures safe transit service and offers workers the dignity they deserve.
Using a full strike, according to Costa, is only done as a “last resort” since there is “no other option.”
Metrolinx has been contacted by Global News for comment.
Beginning on Monday, more than 2,000 GO Transit employees are scheduled to go on strike.
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