WINNIPEG — With still no contract in place between Transit workers and the city, users were forced to deal with another day of delays or bus schedule cancellations.
The city says 25 routes were affected by the union refusing to work overtime on Thursday.
“It is a little frustrating when I am trying to make it to work on time to make the money to pay for my bus pass and my buses aren’t showing up or are 20 minutes late,” said Maggie Armstrong, who relies on the bus daily.
Armstrong says her regular route has been impacted by the contract dispute.
“I have noticed a few times my 47 either has been really really late or hasn’t shown up at all,” she said.
READ MORE: Still no deal between City of Winnipeg and transit union
The frustration is being felt by bus users through Winnipeg.
“If I pay for a bus pass I would much rather expect the service be available,” said Pablo Cohen, who takes the bus to work every day. “I may as well get a refund on my bus pass.”
In an email Wednesday the city said it has offered a four-year agreement that would see an 8 per cent wage increase for bus operators and an 8.81 per cent wage increase for mechanics over four years.
According to the city, the union has proposed a three-year agreement with wage increases of 10.34 per cent for operators, and 20.24 per cent for mechanics over three years.
The union tells Global News those are the figures it had initially proposed but refused to say what the union’s proposed agreement is now.
“The position has been modified at conciliation and has changed some what but it is what we need to remain competitive,” said John Callahan, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. “If you don’t want people driving your bus and you don’t want people fixing them then offer a substandard wage.”
The union says there are around 130 buses sitting out of commission because mechanics cannot keep up with the amount of service needed.
READ MORE: Buses cancelled as Winnipeg Transit workers refuse overtime
Talks between both sides are scheduled again for Friday with another date set aside next week if no deal is reached.
“Hopefully we can come to an agreement,” said Callahan.
According to figures provided by the union showing wages of employees represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union, bus mechanics in Winnipeg make $31.40 an hour. The highest paid are in Edmonton at $49.00 an hour. A mechanics wage in Regina is $36.00.
The same documents show bus drivers in Winnipeg make $25.64. Again Edmonton tops the list at $33.10 and those in Regina make $25.87.
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