The Green Party of Canada in Newmarket-Aurora calls for an end to York Region Transit strike.

The five-week-old transit strike in York Region is a burden to many individuals and families.  Those hardest-hit, such as seniors, students and the under-employed, are also the least likely to have alternative means of getting around.  As well, the striking workers are suffering greatly, as they have given up essentially 100% of their income by going on strike to get wages and benefits closer to other GTA transit workers.

The Green Party of Canada’s Newmarket-Aurora Candidate-of-Record and Social Services Critic, Vanessa Long, today expressed solidarity with the unionized workers and she “chastises the Region for outsourcing a service that is so vital to healthy, sustainable communities and social justice within our area.”

Ms Long continued: “As a family that uses public transit, we have been personally impacted by the strike.  At least we have alternatives so it is only an inconvenience but I think it shows a complete lack of responsibility by the Region and YRT to allow it to go on this long.  And saying that their hands are tied because of outsourcing is no longer acceptable.  The workers are asking for binding arbitration, let’s move this process forward as quickly as possible.”

The Green Party of Canada, Newmarket-Aurora, calls on the Region and York Region Transit to pressure the bus companies to end this strike now by agreeing to binding arbitration.

In Memory of Brother George Gautreau

George passed away at Centenary Hospital, surrounded by love and family, on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at the age of 58.  Beloved husband of Barbara for 21 years. Devoted father to Jeremy, Jeffrey, Christopher and Alexander. Survived by his mum Emma Gautreau. Dearly missed by his 5 grandchildren: Jaden, Brianna, Alexis, Noah and Logan. Friend to all and a rock to his family, we will hold him in our hearts forever.

Friends and family may gather at McDougall & Brown Funeral Home (Scarborough Chapel), 2900 Kingston Rd. 416-267-4656 on Saturday, November 26th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Service to follow in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.

Mass Rally at York Region Headquarters

Transit union International President to speak at mass rally of York Region transit strikers at York Region headquarters in Newmarket.

The International President of the 185,000-member Amalgamated Transit Union, Larry Hanley, will be attending a mass rally of over 500 York Region transit workers nearly four weeks after their strike against Viva, Miller Transit and First Student began on October 24. Hanley will be addressing the rally and will be available for media interviews.

WHEN:          9:00 a.m.

WHERE:        York Region Headquarters

                   17250 Yonge Street

                   Newmarket, Ontario

The rally is being staged to coincide with a meeting of the York Region Council that begins at 9:30 a.m.

Hanley is a major figure in the North American labour movement and was one of the union leaders who recently helped win repeal of the Ohio law that banned collective bargaining in the public sector.

Also in attendance will be Ray Doyle, President of ATU Local 1587, which represents workers at Miller Transit and First Student, and Bob Kinnear, President of Local 113, which represents workers at Viva.

The union will be reiterating its offer to end the strike immediately if the companies agree to a neutral arbitration process.

Poll: York Region residents want strike ended by arbitration; union agrees

A telephone poll of 2,107 residents of York Region on November 3 showed that 71 per cent wanted the Regional government to intervene in the nearly 3-week old bus strike at Viva, Miller and First Student.  Only 12 per cent said the Region should not intervene and 17 per cent were undecided. View poll results.

The union has written to York Regional Chairman Bill Fisch saying that they will agree to arbitration and end the strike immediately if the companies also agree in writing to submit the dispute to neutral arbitrators.

“The gap between the union and the YRT contractors is too great.  There is no resolution in sight.  In such circumstances, arbitration is the way to go.  It's a fair process and it will end the strike,” wrote Ray Doyle, President of ATU Local 1587, which represents the Miller and First Student workers, and Bob Kinnear, President of ATU Local 113, which represents the VIVA workers. Read letter.

The union also took out full page ads in two York Region newspapers today, to publicize the poll and the letter to Fisch. View Ad.

“We are ready to end the strike today,” says Doyle. “Chairman Fisch should call the bus companies and demand that they go to arbitration.  It’s a fair process and there is no law that prevents him from making that request.”

Collective Agreement Ratified

It will be service as usual on the GO Bus system following this morning's announcement from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 that the settlement reached late on October 23 has been ratified by its membership.

The Union represents Office and Professional Staff, Fleet Maintenance, Plant Maintenance, Bus Operators, Station Attendants and Transit Safety personnel - over 1530 workers in all.

The Local Union Executive would like to thank their members for their continued solidarity.

The Union also extends their gratitude to the passengers and general public for their patience and understanding.