Transit Windsor strike averted, tentative agreement reached hours before deadline
City buses are expected to run on a normal schedule Monday morning after the union representing Transit Windsor workers reached a tentative agreement with the city late Sunday night, hours before drivers were set to go on strike.
Just before 10 p.m. Sunday night, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616, which represents nearly 300 public transit workers in Windsor, said it had reached a tentative deal with the City of Windsor.
Transit Windsor workers had been without a contract since Oct. 1 and in strike position since Dec. 3.
After rescinding a previous strike deadline of Jan. 15, the local union held a press conference the following day.
Officials at the time cited the 10 paid sick days which are federally mandated for transit workers as a major sticking point in ongoing negotiations.
Strike notice was issued again last week after the union said contract talks were at an impasse.
A work stoppage was scheduled for Feb. 5 at 12:01 a.m. if a deal could not be reached before that deadline.
"It's been very long and difficult bargaining," said Amalgamated Transit Union international vice-president Manny Sforza.
"At this point, I can't give any specific details on the deal because we're going to be bringing the offer to the membership in the very near future and they will be having a ratification vote on the offer."
That vote is targeted for next weekend, union officials told CTV News. They added bus service is expected to run on its normal schedule Monday morning.
When asked if he is happy with the deal, Sforza said "happy is a bit of a stretch."
"I think it's a fair and reasonable deal for our members," he added.
"Our commitment to Transit riders and Windsorites was front and center as we stated from the beginning, keeping the service running while balancing the needs of transit workers," said ATU Local 616 president Dragan Markovic.
According to statement issued by the union, the tentative agreement means members now "have a pathway to the middle class and the federally mandated sick days they deserve for the essential public service they provide."
Statement from the City of Windsor
Transit Windsor buses will be running on the regular Monday schedule thanks to a tentative agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have this deal done ahead of any disruption to service for our community”, said Commissioner of Infrastructure Services (Acting) Mark Winterton. “It’s been a marathon of negotiating to get here but we have a tentative agreement that we can present to City Council and that Local 616 can take to their members.”
No details of the agreement will be released ahead of council approval and membership ratification.
Transit Windsor provides public transit service in Windsor-Essex, including service to Amherstburg, LaSalle, and Leamington. In addition, Tunnel Bus and Special Events services are provided to Detroit, Michigan, and school extra service is provided to select schools in Windsor. All services will be operating as normal thanks to the tentative deal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, placing the outcome of the history-making case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
Edmonton Oilers set to make lineup changes for Game 4 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up. Down 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed there would be lineup changes for tonight's Game 4.