Workers At Transit Windsor Give 72-Hour Strike Notice
Last updated: Friday January 12th, 9:08am
Almost 300 workers of Transit Windsor, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 616, have given the City of Windsor 72-hour advance strike notice.
The Union says they will keep working with the City’s negotiating team throughout the weekend up to the deadline on Sunday. However, if a deal is not reached by then, there will be a strike effective at 12:01am on Monday, January 15th.
The Union says they are seeking fair wages that keep pace with inflation and improved working conditions, but the parties remain miles apart.
“Over a year ago, the federal government legislated that all federal employees are to receive ten paid sick days per year, and workers of Transit Windsor are federal employees. Why would Transit Windsor now expect transit workers to pay for these sick days by taking them off their wages? It’s beyond me. How is that fair?“ says ATU International Vice President Manny Sforza.
ATU International President John Costa has expressed his anger and frustration over Transit Windsor’s failure to recognize the value of frontline transit professionals in collective bargaining.
“They called us heroes during the pandemic and now have zero interest in delivering fair compensation to public transit workers,” said ATU International President John Costa. “Our Local 616 Transit Windsor members have the full support of our membership across Canada and the U.S.”
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 of these services will be suspended if members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616 take strike action.
“We’ve been provided a 72-hour strike notice, which is mandatory notice for a union to provide under federal legislation,” said Transit Windsor Executive Director Tyson Cragg. “We are continuing to negotiate in hopes a settlement can be reached, but we need our customers to plan ahead, just in case there are no Transit Windsor buses on the road starting Monday morning.”
