No TTC Strike For Now, As Both Unions Agree To 48 Hours Notice

X4v13r · Comandante

RE: ANOTHER TTC STRIKE???

LGigolo · Comandante

No TTC Strike For Now, As Both Unions Agree To 48 Hours Notice

Monday March 31, 2008

CityNews.ca Staff

TTC riders don't need to make alternate travel arrangements to get to work - for now. Although two separate transit unions are in a legal strike position as of 12:01am Tuesday, there's no walkout on the horizon.

Both CUPE Local 2, which represents electrical and communications workers, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, which represents vehicle operators, have promised to give 48 hours notice of any job action.

The CUPE local announced its 48-hours'-notice decision on Sunday, following in the footsteps of ATU Local 113.

"We are cautiously optimistic that progress is being made on our issues," said CUPE Local 2 President Mike Santos.

All sides say progress is being made in the talks, and terms of the current collective agreement will remain in effect while negotiations continue.

"All sides want a deal. That's really important, that's a good sign," said TTC Chair Adam Giambrone.

One of the main sticking points for the ATU is compensation for injured and/or assaulted workers.

The TTC transports more than 1 million riders on workdays.

Who are the three unions in legal strike positions?

LGigolo · Comandante

A second TTC union on the verge of hitting the bricks at midnight tonight has agreed to give 48 hours notice if talks break down and job action is near.

Talks between the TTC and CUPE's Local 2 and its larger Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113, which represents 9,000 workers, continued yesterday as negotiators tried to hammer out separate deals.

"We are cautiously optimistic that progress is being made on our issues," said Local 2 president Mike Santo, whose 500 members maintain subway signals, electrical and communication systems.

Santo said the terms of their current contract will remain in effect until there's a new deal.

Local 113 officials said last night that they will also continue to meet with management.

They were to be in a legal strike position at midnight but have also pledged to give TTC riders at least 48 hours notice before a strike or work-to-rule campaign.

Local 113 head Bob Kinnear broke off negotiations last week demanding that TTC workers -- including bus drivers assaulted by passengers -- get a top-up of their workers compensation benefits when they are off the job with an injury.

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Remember the strike a couple of years or so back? You ready for another one?