More than 2,000 GO Transit workers set to strike beginning Monday: union

More than 2,000 GO Transit workers are set to go on strike starting Monday after voting to reject Metrolinx’s latest offer, the union representing the workers says.

The 2,200 workers had originally planned to strike on Oct. 31 but last Wednesday pushed the deadline back in order to review and vote on the most recent offer, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 said in a statement Friday.

For the latest offer, the union said 81 per cent voted against it and in favour of strike action.

“We have had enough – starting Monday, we will walk the picket lines until we reach an agreement that protects job security for our current and future members,” said Local 1587 president Rob Cormier.

“However, we remain committed to meeting with Metrolinx to reach a deal that addresses our concerns and other issues to ensure a safe and reliable transit system for our riders.”

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ATU Local 1587 members include GO Transit bus drivers, station attendants, maintenance workers, transit safety officers, and office workers.

“Our members have made it utterly clear. We will not accept a deal unless it addresses our primary concern, which is contracting out,” Cormier said.

“These basic protections against contracting out are the norm at every other transit agency in our region to ensure that experienced, workers are on the job to ensure the safety of the buses. Without these protections, Metrolinx can contract to outside companies unfamiliar with the fleet which will hire inexperienced workers at the lowest of wages.”

The union noted that the strike comes as CUPE education workers have walked off the job amid an ongoing dispute with the Ford government.

ATU International president John Costa said they join the “entire Ontario labour movement in a common fight against a government who would rather destroy vital public services and strongarm workers than negotiate a contract ensuring safe transit service and offering workers the dignity they deserve.”

Costa said a full strike is only used as a “last resort” but said they have “no other option.”

Cormier told Global News the union is “optimistic” a deal can be reached over the weekend, but said there needs to be “some sort of resolution to the outstanding issues.”

“But if we can’t, it means that GO bus service won’t run on Monday morning,” he explained.

In a statement, Metrolinx said it is “disappointed” that members voted against its current offer and is “instead planning to strike.”

“We will be working throughout the weekend to get an agreement and remain open to discussing ways forward with our ATU employees,” the statement read.

Metrolinx said if a strike does proceed, as of 12:01 a.m., on Monday, there will be no bus service.

“Trains will continue to operate as scheduled,” the company said.

-with files from Global News’ Hannah Jackson