Bus service is expected to resume Saturday morning

Workers at Grand River Transit have ratified a new collective agreement with the region, ending a strike that lasted almost two weeks.

It follows a meeting Thursday and means buses will likely be back on the road on Saturday morning.

The deal now just needs approval from Regional Council, which will meet at 11 a.m. on Friday.

A source tells 570 NEWS, the new contract includes new language around discipline and "benefits employees by limiting the ways in which the employer can use surveillance evidence."

The region has also agreed that cameras have been installed on buses for the safety of both the driver and the public and that "surveillance footage should not be used for performance monitoring." If a customer complaint prompts an investigation, any video or audio from the on-bus camera that is not related to the incident under investigation shall not result in discipline to the employee.

Here are some other details of the agreement:

A sunset clause so that "management, when imposing disciplinary action for a current incident, will not take into account any prior infractions." Verbal and written warnings will only remain on an employees' record for one year, while suspensions will remain on-file for two years

Installing safety barriers on all buses within three years is also included, along with a new commitment to meet with Unifor Local 4304 to have meaningful discussion about barrier types and implementation within three months of ratification. That work is expected to start in 2020

In a release, Unifor Local 4304 says the new deal also includes wage increases in each year of the collective agreement, plus language improvements on the use of part-time and casual employees.

"We're very happy it was ratified and moving forward, we can get the buses back on the road." said Tim Jewell, President of Unifor Local 4304.

The new contract covers over 700 drivers, mechanics, vehicle service attendants and dispatchers, who started their strike on January 21.

It will be in effect for three years and four months retroactive to January 1, 2020.

"Our team was happy with it and the fact that the union membership has ratified it, is really encouraging, so we look forward to hearing those details and having council vote on it." said Regional Chair, Karen Redman.

"We know that it's been frustrating and inconveniencing for the 70-thousand people that use GRT daily, so really pleased that we can see the finish line." she added.