York Region Transit talks approaching strike deadline; union votes expected Wednesday

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2011 /CNW/ - Negotiations for new collective agreements covering employees of York Region Transit contractors Miller Transit and First Student are reaching a critical phase as the strike deadline of Monday, October 24 approaches.

"We expect an offer from both companies tomorrow," says Ray Doyle, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587, "but we're not holding our breath that they will be acceptable, given what we have seen so far from management."

Doyle says that the offers will be put to a membership vote on Wednesday but declined to say whether or not the union would be recommending their acceptance.

"We'll have to see what's in the package before we give a recommendation. Our members are the lowest-paid in the industry in the GTA, by far, and there has to be some real movement towards equity for an offer to be acceptable."

If the offer is turned down, the union will call a strike as of 12:01 a.m. next Monday. It is possible that one group could accept and the other reject their respective settlements but Doyle does not expect that to happen.

"The membership in both companies are uniformly frustrated at their treatment by these private carriers and it is unlikely that one group will find an offer acceptable that the other does not. I think if they go out, they'll go out together."

ATU Local 1587 represents about 250 Bus Operators and Maintenance staff at Miller Transit and over 90 Bus Operators at First Student. Miller Transit serves the southeast region of York Region, including Richmond Hill and Markham. First Student serves the northern part of the region. A strike would affect tens of thousands of YRT users.

For further information:

Ray Doyle, 416-986-4103