Photo Courtesy of ATU Local 1587
ONTARIO – More than 2,200 GO Transit bus operators, station attendants, and other employees put their foot down and walked off the job on Monday. The strike action comes after Metrolinx failed to reach a deal with their union and has led to massive service disruptions.
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 says that the key issues include job security and job safety relating to hiring contract workers from outside companies.
Just like education workers in the province, GO Bus drivers have a right to strike. But students have taken to social media to share how they are frustrated with the government and struggling to get to campus without GO service.
“The GO Transit bus strike needs more attention. The union ask doesn’t seem too unreasonable (to my layman’s eyes), and the strike is affecting a *lot* of suburban commuters and university students with every passing day,” one Twitter user shared.
“It’s not enough that schools in Ontario are on strike, now go transit too? that’s the education system and the transportation system… Ford needs to give it up smh,” commented another.
“First day of GO Bus strike was a big headache. Spent close to 4 hours on the road (dropping & picking my daughter) from Mississauga to McMasterU Hamilton (40 minutes on GO express services). I’ve always supported Labor rights, but not strikes as it effect the lives of common man,” shared a third.
Metrolinx Responds to Union Strike
Metrolinx has released a statement outlining their version of events.
“Metrolinx is disappointed to advise our customers that GO Bus service will not operate effective Monday, November 7, 2022. The union representing GO Bus operators, station ambassadors, maintenance personnel, transit safety and some office staff walked away from negotiations on Sunday afternoon,” reads a Metrolinx statement.
“Until further notice, GO Bus service will be not operating across the province. GO Train service and UP Express continues to operate as normal,” the statement continues.
Meanwhile, the union has also released a statement about the strike.
“Negotiations have failed because Metrolinx failed to come to the table with a reasonable offer to address any of our key issues,” said Local 1587 president Rob Cormier.
“We have been bargaining in good faith for more than seven months with the aim of avoiding a transit stoppage, but I cannot say the same of Metrolinx’s negotiators,” Cormier continued.
The News You Can Use team will continue to follow this story as it develops. Let us know in the comments, have you been impacted by this strike?
