 |
YRT move could get York transit running again
 |
CBC News
York Region Transit has cancelled its contract with First Canada, one of the bus companies that has been involved in a transit strike since late October.
It could mean that some commuter bus service will be back on the road in a few weeks.
First Canada operated 29 routes for York Region Transit. Two other companies, Veolia and Miller Transport, also have contracts with the municipality.
All of the striking employees are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
YRT says there's a clause in the contract that allows it to terminate the agreement if a labour dispute remains unresolved for more than 30 days.
"For the last couple of months we've been encouraging both sides to sit at the table, have meaningful negotiations and it's come to a point where we realize that's just not happening. We terminated the contract with the contractor, First Canada, and we're reaching out to other to provide service in the region," said Rick Leary, the general manager of YRT.
Leary said he hopes at least the Yonge Street route will be back in operation by Feb. 5.
The municipality is in negotiations with another transit company to take over the First Canada contract — but what happens to the drivers who work for First Canada remains unclear.
"Well the drivers work for that company — I'm not sure what rights the drivers have with that company — but they'll have to deal with that," said Bill Fisch, the chairman and CEO of York Region.
The other bus companies have been given until Friday to explain how they're trying to end the strike and put employees back to work.
But the union representing the striking workers says what YRT is doing is a bullying tactic — especially since the workers for Veolia and Miller Transport are voting on their latest contract proposal on Tuesday.
525 page views
|
|
|
|