An estimated 35,000 passengers across York Region were left looking for another way to get to work this morning after the region’s commuters bus drivers announced last night they would be going on strike.
The strike, set to begin at 4 a.m. today, follows a surprise rejection of a last-minute deal reached over the weekend between the 165 Viva drivers, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, and Veolia Transportation, which operates the commuter buses, just before a deadline of 12 a.m. Monday.
The union members voted 61% to reject the tentative agreement.
“We are a democratic union and our members have spoken,” Bob Kinnear, the president of ATU Local 113, said in a news release. “Veolia management knew that the strike would begin tomorrow if their offer was turned down and I have informed them of the results of the vote.”
The main issues in the dispute are sick days, scheduling and wages. The bus operators were seeking a 3% pay hike for every year of their three-year contract. They currently make $20.75 an hour.
No further talks are believed to be scheduled at this time.
The strike will not affect York Region Transit buses, which will continue to run normally.
There are nearly 100 Viva rapid-transit buses carrying passengers along five routes that link up with the TTC.
NEED ANOTHER RIDE?
– Try carpoolzone.ca
– Visit the YRT/Viva website at www.yrt.ca or call the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978).
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