(Toronto) The union representing striking GO Transit workers on Wednesday accused the employer of “delaying tactics,” while calling for an immediate return to the bargaining table on the third day of the strike.
Posted at 1:50 p.m.
The strike began Monday and disrupted regional bus service in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, causing headaches for thousands of transit users.
The United Transit Union (ATU) said Metrolinx, which operates GO Transit, offered the two sides a meeting on Friday to negotiate the contract for the 2,200 striking workers, including bus drivers, station attendants and controllers.
But the president of SUT Canada said the union was ready to meet at any time and called on Metrolinx to resume talks sooner.
“We can’t understand why they are delaying the return to the table,” John Di Nino said at a press conference Wednesday.
“The victims of this delay are the passengers who cross this province every day. »
The union accused Metrolinx of failing to table a written offer addressing key issues, including commitments to prevent the contracting out of workers to outside companies and to hire more full-time employees.
Metrolinx, a provincial government agency, said it had not had enough time to prepare a response to new issues raised by the union before the strike began.
The agency said on Tuesday it was glad the union resumed negotiations on Friday, adding it remained hopeful a deal could be reached.
The union also called on Transport Minister Caroline Mulroney on Wednesday to intervene.
During a press conference on another topic, Mr.me Mulroney said the government is “supporting Metrolinx as it continues to work to get a good deal with ATU.”