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Manconi chided the operator for not going through proper channels with his concerns and suggested he was unhappy because a loss of seniority means he is now required to work weekends. (Grover is currently off on medical leave after knee surgery.)

“I suspect that he is upset that he needs to work weekends,” the GM wrote to councillors, adding that even Grover’s union was not happy with his open letter.

“I can confirm that I spoke to the President of the (Amalgamated Transit Union) and he was as concerned as I was to see the operator not use the many channels at his disposal to share his concerns and seek resolution.”

Manconi also attempted to put the scheduling issue in historical context, starting with the 51-day strike in 2008/9 that sent the negotiable issue to binding arbitration.

He said OC Transpo has a scheduling “working committee” that includes members from the union, management and technical staff. He added that the committee vets schedules four times a year and that more recovery time will be added in January.

“Recovery time is a specific provision of the collective agreement and I nor anyone can change that provision on a whim,” he wrote. “The majority of our employees and the union agree that it is a delicate balance between service and recovery time.”

The operators previously had “fixed break periods” but Manconi wrote that the union does not support this option.

Grover wrote that the chronic problems have led to absenteeism that reaches as high as 20 to 25 per cent of the workforce. Manconi said that figure is incorrect but did not offer a more accurate number.