Calgary vs. Transit Union: Impasse
May 12th, 2007 posted by CanprideThe ongoing battle between the city of Calgary and the transit union, we are at an impasse. A brief pause in the war that is no truce but rather a final drawing of the battle lines.
According to Mayor Dave Bronconnier, the city has made its final offer.
The negotiations ended between the union and the city after a 12 hour talk Friday, May 11.
The Mayor accused the union of changing the issues.
“It seems that each and every time we get to the negotiating table, the transit union appears to change the goal lines,” he said.
Mike Mahar, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583 president, responded to the accusation of raising the shuttle bus issue late in the negotiating game. He accuses the city of ordering the shuttles without consulting or informing the union. Mahar also pointed out that shuttle bus drivers aren’t full time employees; thus their wages are lower.
“We know now that the transit union is saying it’s not money, it’s about dictating which pieces of equipment will be bought and what will be put on the road, and that’s a condition that we cannot live with,” Bronconnier said.
He also stated the city’s position on part time employees.
“I don’t know of any corporation — none — that survives without part-time staff.”
C-Train and shuttle bus drivers will meet on Wednesday. The union has already voted with members agreeing to a strike if necessary. A 72-hour notice will be given prior to the union hitting picket lines. In return, the city has taken the steps to apply to lockout workers.
The lines have etched into the concrete with two stubborn sides insisting that the other is in the wrong. Unfortunately, it will be the citizens who will pay should these two not get together in the near future.
SOURCE: Calgary Sun
May 13th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I can not even imagine what this city would be like in the event of a strike. The transit system is already awful. What I find unbelievable is that you can’t even count on a bus to show up in this city. On Friday I was late to work since my bus never even showed up at all. I called in and they told me that I am supposed to call in to find out if my bus is running!!! So I called in tonight May 13th and they told me that I have to call in the morning. What kind of transit system is this!? I have NO sympathy for this whole issue and I think others that take the transit feel the same way.
People are as packed in on transit as they are in Tokyo. I wouldn’t be surprised if the actually start pushing people to pack them in tighter as they do in Tokyo. I’m pregnant and often have to stand the entire trip as well as worry about getting elbowed in the belly.
A strike would be a disaster for Calgary and terrible for the environment with all the extra cars being stuck in traffic. I don’t think I’m the only one who is furious about this issue. I can’t even believe that it isn’t deemed an essential service.
May 13th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Buses are not showing up because of manpower issues. The reason why they want you to call in the morning is that on any given day CT themselves don’t know how many people they have available to work until around 8:00 the night prior. Prior to the `work to rule` they were short close to 200 drivers. When the work to rule kicked in all the drivers refused to do overtime along with mechanics. Mostly it is a case of lack of drivers but somedays it is due to lack of buses too. Since the strike vote, the drivers have been wanting to work overtime but the City management has denied them and cut bus runs. I would like to know why? The only plausible reason is that they might want to punish the drivers for the strike vote and work to rule campaigns.
I hope there is no strike as I will have to drive from Tuscany and then worry about a parking spot. My request to both the City and Union is to stop the strike before it happens. If for no other reason just think of the working poor, disabled people and downtown workers who live in far flung suburbs whose lives will be made a whole lot difficult.
May 17th, 2007 at 5:47 am
I am sick and tired of the union holding this city ransome. If they do not like the working conditions then quite and go some where else. That is the beauty of a free society. Unions had their time, they are a dinasour, that needs to be put to rest. Employees have more rights now days then business owners. I wish they would just strike if they are going to.
SIx years ago their was a strike that lasted several months. By time the strike was over the citizens had learned how to deal with the problem, and the drivers were begging to get back to work.
May 20th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
[…] this time around, talks will get somewhere. Neither side wants the potential ramifications a strike and a lockout could […]