The Simon Tonekham Statesman

Well after against all odds, ordered some pizza and some hardcore talks between the TTC and their union (ATU local 113), it seems that there won’t be a strike – after all. For some, they are very excited that everything went out smoothly. The union members, along with the transit commission representatives and with help of a provincial mediator hammered out a deal that will most suit the union members.

Bob Kinnear, the head representative of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 talks to the media at a press conference being held at the Sheraton Hotel. This is what he has to say:

“What we will be doing in the coming days is bringing forth this tentative deal to our membership and then a ratification vote, I think that this is an agreement that all parties can live with and therefore our executive board will be recommending ratification of this agreement…I appreciate the patience of all Torontonians, strike action was action that we did not want to take……..We made some major inroads in improving our benefit package; we made major inroads at closing the gap with other city workers and other transit agencies.”

David Miller, the mayor for the City of Toronto also stepped in to talk peacefully. The premier of Ontario also is considering the TTC as a “essential service”. I would like to see part or all of the TTC being controlled by the province or maybe a private operator.

It could have been a lot worse to some, should the strike go ahead. Also, if you are a student who is attending a post-secondary institution and in the midst of writing exams, you can take a breather. It seems that you can now focus more on your exams and less time worrying about a strike. Load up with a few cans of your favourite energy drinks and study away. Good luck on your exams.

Anyways, I’ll be taking a break from writing this week as I focus on my exams. Blog postings will resume on Friday at the earliest.

References:

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21892.aspx

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080419/ttc_talks_080420/20080420?hub=TopStories

http://www.eontarionow.com/provincial/2008/04/20/breakting-no-ttc-strike/

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g1SKnRsP-E9HVfgKA2lhZt6exN5Q

http://www.thestar.com/GTA/Transportation/article/416457

http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAN2038455120080420