Tamara Khandaker
Staff Writer
Once again, GO Transit users may have to find alternative means of transport in response to a new strike deadline of October 24 set by GO Transit employees.
In what could be the first strike in GO Transit’s 40-year history, 1,530 employees represented by Local 1587 of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) would walk off the job, resulting in a suspension of all GO bus services.
York Regional Transit (YRT) operators for Miller Transit and Student First Canada—who are also represented by the union—would also be going on strike.
An earlier September strike date was prevented when Metrolinx, the agency which manages GO Transit, appealed to the Ontario Labour Board (OLB) on the grounds that GO buses are an essential service.
The issue was resolved October 4 when OLB ruled the union has a legal strike agreement with Metrolinx. The ruling resolved that GO bus services are in fact, not essential, and all employees are entitled to strike.
A notable point of contention during negotiations has been wage
disputes. The provincial government imposed a wage freeze on GO Transit workers, but not on its management. The union is unwilling to accept a wage increase that would come out of existing benefit costs.
Only bus services would be affected by the strike, as train operators are represented by a different union and are covered by another collective agreement.
Second-year student Rama Yako is anxious about the potential strike.
“I pretty much have no way of getting to school [on public transit]” says Yako, who takes the bus from Meadowvale. “I would have no choice but to take my car. I’d have to leave three hours before my class because I know traffic is going to be hell.”
Some students who have alternative transit options agree that a strike would be unfortunate, but would be willing to make use of other bus services if necessary. Rohit Rumpal, whose commute includes taking a Brampton Transit bus and a GO bus from Bramalea, would opt to take the less-pricey Züm bus in the event of a GO strike.
“It’s not that much of an inconvenience, especially because Züm has improved its service,” he says.
Vasie Papadopolous, spokesperson for Metrolinx, declined to discuss negotiations publicly but remains hopeful about the results.
“Our primary concern is to negotiate a fair collective agreement,” Papadopolous says in a statement. “We are hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached and that a labour disruption can be avoided.”
As of publication, ATU1587 did not respond to Excalibur’s inquiries, but president Ray Doyle has assured commuters that they will be informed of the union’s intent to strike early enough to make alternate transportation arrangements.
