The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, the union of workers for the Toronto Transit Commission, is expected to make some kind of announcement today, and the current news reports say that it’s likely they will strike. The union promised 48 hours’ notice for a strike, which means that if a strike is announced, the real traffic chaos will happen on Monday.
Some news reports for your perusal:
The most telling statement about the union appears in the first paragraph of this article in yesterday’s National Post:
Amalgamated Transit Union 113, which represents about 9,000 employees at the Toronto Transit Commission – 3,500 maintenance workers, about 4,500 bus, subway and streetcar drivers, plus ticket collectors and others – has invited the press to the Sheraton Hotel in Richmond Hill tomorrow for an “update” on its contract talks with TTC management. When I asked why the union negotiates, and meets the press, at a hotel not served by the TTC, a source replied, “There is lots of free parking.” What that logic tells you about both sides’ belief in public transit is a matter I will leave up to the reader.
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STRIKE! ...Because who couldn't use a day of relaxed duty?
If the weather is decent on Monday, I'll be working from home (a.k.a. reclined on the balcony sipping a whisky).
If the weather turns crappy there's always the challenge of trying to do work and play Super Smash Bros. Brawl at the same time.
@Chris Taylor: I'll probably telecommute in the event of a strike. Although I bike to work, I'd still have to use the roads, which I suspect will be crammed with angry people.
Seriously!!? I am so sick of these strikes!! How is it that some dude driving a bus is getting paid 100,000 dollars a year to sit on his butt. Mean while all us peeps who actually require university have to shell out $3.00 dollars from their 40,000 dollar salary just because some lazy richy wants four weeks vacation. We just had an INCREASE! I propose a strike, I say ALL the TTC riders should WALK until the union goes bankrupt and we can hire regular employees like any other company. And making campaign donations?? That just REEKS of unethical. They might as well sleep with the mayor too!!
"Seriously!!? I am so sick of these strikes!! How is it that some dude driving a bus is getting paid 100,000 dollars a year to sit on his butt."
Get yerself a life, dude. When your own contract expires would YOU just take a cheek-slap and kick in the ass from your employer for your immediate future? Screaming at the TTC is a selfish and self-centered gesture and shows NO consideration for others.
At the TTC we work HARD and LONG for our money - a hundred grand is ONLY earned if an Operator or Collector has no life, takes all the overtime he/she can scrounge, and is away from home some 14 hours a day, six or seven days a week.
TTC is NOT an essential service, like police, ambulance and hospitals. A strike would have NO immediate impact on ANYONE's health or safety, and that's the measure I use. TTC employees have a human right to collective bargaining and representation, and if union and management can't see eye to eye after contract expiry there is every right to with-hold services.