Efforts On Both Sides Attempt To Avoid An April Union Strike

Toronto- After earlier talks ended in stalemate, the union and the Toronto Transit Commission are sitting down again to try and work out their differences.  Both sides want to avoid an April Strike, and the resulting chaos that such a strike would cause.

A mediator has been meeting individually with both sides, and some of the major issues have seen an improvement, with both sides coming closer together in efforts to avoid a strike.

Earlier this week the Union got up and walked away from the negotiating table, citing inflexibility on the Transit Commissions part in regards to compensation for workers that are injured on the job.  Union Sources referred to the compensation issue as “Fundamental,” and the issue is seen as something that has to be resolved by both sides in order to avert a potential strike.

Currently members of the Union who miss work after being injured receive only part of their pay, where Transit Commission employees who are not union members are paid their full pay for time off when injured.

The Local 113 Union for the Amalgamated Transit Union acts to represent more than 9,000 of the Transit Commission’s workers. The Toronto Transit Commission works to carry nearly 1.5 million passengers every day.

The last time a work stoppage occurred was in May 2006 when there was a one-day illegal walkout was held.  There was a great deal of confusion and chaos, and it is estimated that the Transit Commission lost about 3 million dollars during the 2006 walkout.