Special to the RTT
The Transit Windsor bus will still be coming through Amherstburg this week on its normal schedule as a strike has been averted.
After what the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616 called “challenging negotiations with the Transit Windsor Collective bargaining committee,” the union announced via press release it had secured a tentative agreement and there will not be a strike.
“This, after months of gruelling bargaining with the Company seeking considerable concessions to offset and/or recoup costs from federally mandated personal medical leave days,” the press release stated.
The release was e-mailed by Michael Lucier, the union’s financial secretary/treasurer.
“We have been vocal that we were working towards a fair and reasonable collective agreement for our membership, that reflects the current working and health and safety conditions for both workers and passengers, as well as wage increases that are reflective of industry standards. We feel that we have achieved that, and will be presenting the offer to our membership for a ratification vote,” the union states.
The ATU states it is committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible public transit to all those who rely on this service.
“We want the public to know that we take pride in serving our communities and keeping Windsor and Essex County moving.”
The union states it has been working without a contract since Oct. 1, 2023, and was in a strike position since Dec 3, 2023.
A ratification vote is reportedly scheduled for this weekend.
ATU Local 616 represents almost 300 members, including operators, customer service, administration, maintenance, and skilled trades, providing transit throughout Windsor and Essex County, and tunnel bus service to Detroit.
The City of Windsor also issued its own news release after the tentative agreement was reached, noting buses were running on schedule starting Monday.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have this deal done ahead of any disruption to service for our community”, said Commissioner of Infrastructure Services (Acting) Mark Winterton. “It’s been a marathon of negotiating to get here but we have a tentative agreement that we can present to City Council and that Local 616 can take to their members.”
No details of the agreement will be released ahead of council approval and membership ratification.
Transit Windsor provides public transit service in Windsor-Essex, including service to Amherstburg, LaSalle, and Leamington. In addition, Tunnel Bus and Special Events services are provided to Detroit, Michigan, and school extra service is provided to select schools in Windsor. All services will be operating as normal thanks to the tentative deal.
By Ron Giofu
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