

Web Staff, cp24.com





With the clock ticking and time running out, York Region residents are bracing for several possible transit strikes that could create commuter chaos beginning early Monday morning, as negotiation talks with at least one group seem to have stalled.

Ray Doyle, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587, said that the union had not been presented with a counter proposal, and that no requests for further negotiations have been made since workers overwhelmingly rejected the latest offer from First Transit and Miller Transit on Thursday.

The union says 95 per cent of staff voted against the most recent contract offer and are prepared to walk off the job at midnight Sunday, affecting Monday's commute.



For a list all possible affected routes, click here.



Doyle said a stoppage would affect roughly 60 per cent of the entire transit service for York Region. Bus routes in northern and southeast York Region, including Newmarket, Georgina Keswick and parts of Richmond Hill and Markham, will be disrupted.

Staff working the overnight shift on Sunday have been instructed to continue their duties until their shift is over.

"Nobody will be stranded without a ride home," he said, but come Monday morning: "People will have to look at carpooling and finding alternative ways to work and getting around."

Doyle said the union will stay at the negotiation table throughout the weekend in an attempt to avoid a strike that would paralyze public transportation in the 905.

Two other transit strikes are also threatening the region.

GO Transit workers and York Regional Transit's VIVA division which services the rest of the area, are also in heated negotiations ahead of the Sunday night deadline.

GO Transit said although its bus service would be compromised if bus drivers walk off the job, its commuter trains would continue to operate.

While talks are ongoing, Doyle said that as far as he is concerned, the talks are not going well and all three groups negotiating with York Region will likely go on strike at midnight Sunday.

Viva workers rejected a contract offer Wednesday night. GO workers have yet to vote on a contract offer.

Vasie Papadopoulos , spokesperson for Metrolinx, released a statement Thursday saying officials "continue to be optimistic that an agreement will be reached" with ATU 1587, the union representing GO Transit bus drivers, ticket sellers, maintenance personnel, transit enforcement and some office staff.

"Our primary concern is to negotiate a fair collective agreement," she said. "We are hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached."

Doyle said unionized workers are fighting for better pay.

"Employees and drivers in York Region are working for up to 40 per cent below any other transit system in the GTA," he said. "Even employees recognize they are badly underpaid."

Doyle encouraged member of the public to call their councillors and mayors to encourage York Region to get involved in the ongoing talks.

- With files from The Canadian Press



