TORONTO — The union representing 2,200 GO Transit workers says they have rejected the latest contract offer from parent transit agency Metrolinx and will strike on Monday.
Global News reports Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 said 81% of those voting rejected the contract offered last week. The union represents bus trivers, station attendance, maintenance workers, safety officers, and office workers.
“Our members have made it utterly clear,” Local 1587 President Rob Cormier said. “We will not accept a deal unless it addresses our primary concern, which is contracting out. … Without those protections, Metrolinx can contract to outside companies unfamiliar with the fleet which will hire inexperienced workers at the lowest of wages.”
Metrolinx said it was “disappointed” by the vote and that it would contine working through the weekend to get a new agreement. It said that without one, there would be no bus service on Monday but that trains will continue to operate as scheduled.
Totally unfounded statement from the Union Local President…unless he has actual proof that Metrolinx is considering contracting out maintenance or has done so. In some cases(most that I’m aware of), the contractor usually ends up being the manufacturer of the equipment or another competitor(all of which have contract divisions for just this purpose).