Coping with the TTC Strike « The Simon Tonekham Statesman

Coping with the TTC Strike

It all came with a big bang for many passengers who rely on the TTC almost everyday, but today their opportunity has been missed as the TTC members of the Amalgamated Transit Union local 113 has rejected the new deal provided by the TTC. An overwhelmingly 65% of the members have forcibly rejected the new deal. That new deal would have provided pay increases for three per cent every year.

Shortly after the news broke out, many passengers are trying to get their way home in the wake of strike – even many tourists who are visiting the city didn’t realized what was all the commotion – until they finally realized that the strike was taking place. Mayor David Miller and TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone has dubbed the TTC strike as “Unacceptable and irresponsible”. This is what he said in a press conference:

“On behalf of city council and the people of Toronto I want to express my extreme disappointment at the result of today’s ratification vote by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 and the ensuing notification by the union that they are going to undertake strike action effective midnight tonight. This strike action is unacceptable and unnecessary.”

“The agreement negotiated between the Toronto Transit Commission and its employees was fair and reasonable. It gave the workers a fair wage increase of 3 per cent a year in each of three years and negotiated certain benefit and other improvements that were fair to the workers and responsible with public funds.

“Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 promised the people of Toronto 48 hours’ notice of any strike action,” Miller said. “I spoke to Mr. Kinnear earlier this evening and asked on behalf of Torontonians and TTC riders that he honour this commitment. He refused. This is unacceptable and irresponsible.”

There’s some word that Miller might send an SOS message to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty on enacting back-to-work legislation as soon as possible. Fortunately, the premier has agreed and a provincial mediator is going to work out with the union and the TTC and above all the mayor.

As you are waking up reading this blog posting this morning, get used to the TTC strike while it last. The only real test is going to be on Monday when all systems are severely constrained. The city has implemented a contingency plan on the TTC. The plan can be founded here. You also have alternatives as well, but be warned: these might have some ups and downs. It can be viewed here.

To finish this blog off, I’m leaving you a music video by a band called Social Code. The music video is called “The Shortest Line”. It seems that the union members have reached this line when voted on the new deal.

Social Code – “The Shortest Line”: