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Proposed 2017 Implementation Plan for the Regional Transit Supportive Strategy - Cambridge
http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Coun...7#page=121
Includes service improvements to routes 51, 52, 61, and 200 (not clear to me if previously announced), a high school student transit promotion, and a TDM Co-ordinator / Station Area Planner.
Everyone move to the back of the bus and we all get home faster.
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Strike predictions tomorrow? Yes or No.
I'm inclined to say no, they'll settle tonight.
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(04-02-2017, 09:18 AM)Spokes Wrote: Strike predictions tomorrow? Yes or No.
I'm inclined to say no, they'll settle tonight.
I sure hope so. Although I'm curious to see the bike traffic tomorrow if they don't.
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I sincerely hope so, I work an odd schedule and haven't been able to find any co-workers willing to carpool.
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(04-02-2017, 09:18 AM)Spokes Wrote: Strike predictions tomorrow? Yes or No.
I'm inclined to say no, they'll settle tonight.
If they reach a 11 hour deal it still needs a few things to happen:
1. Documents need to be printed (changes to the contract)
2. A meeting arranged for the members
3. A ratification vote by all the members
That won't happen Sunday and likely not Monday. With that being said it will likely last three or four days at the very least. If you look at other transit strikes in Canada over the past 20 years they usually last a month. Unless of course the government steps in which they did in Toronto but failed to do in Ottawa the capital of the nation. I really do hope that each side does not drag their heels on this out of pride and spite. One thing also to remember this is not about money its about policy and the government hates to change policy. If it were money this would have been settled a month ago.
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If they reach a deal, would they not go back to work until we know the outcome of the vote (like they did last time)?
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Would be nice if they could at least keep the MobilityPlus vehicles running if there is a strike.
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(04-02-2017, 11:37 AM)Rick O Wrote: ...
3. A ratification vote by all the members
...
Why would this one have to happen before the strike is called off? It didn't last time.
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(04-02-2017, 01:08 PM)KevinL Wrote: If they reach a deal, would they not go back to work until we know the outcome of the vote (like they did last time)?
Yes.
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Whew. I hope this one's accepted, I'd hate to see the disruption this would cause. (Then again, letting people see that disruption firsthand would help cement how important transit is.)
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I was going to try out taking the bus+bike to work this week, but this whole strike thing isn't helping to convince me I should give it a go.
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"Then again, letting people see that disruption firsthand would help cement how important transit is."
I think that's optimistic. The effect of the LTC strike seemed to be increased animosity towards the system, and an increased attitude that it could not be relied on. I know that in London at that time, a lot of people took permanent travel decisions (I mean like buying a car) during or soon after the strike.
Fingers crossed that this deal is accepted and we don't need to go through a service disruption.
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Quote:GRT Union Members Ratify New Deal; Strike Averted
April 3, 2017
KITCHENER – Members of Unifor Local 4304, more than 600 transit workers with Grand River Transit, ratified a new contract today, averting a strike in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge later this week.
“The bargaining committee worked day and night through the weekend to bring the membership a new contract that addressed their major concerns,” said Jenny Ahn, Assistant to National President Jerry Dias.
Unifor Local 4304 President Rick Lonergan said the deal is good for both the public and the workers at Grand River Transit.
“With this deal, Unifor helped to ensure that safer buses are on the streets for both the drivers and the public,” Lonergan said.
The new collective agreement with Grand River Transit establishes improved safety procedures, recognized maintenance protocols, a trial process for driver shields
on new buses, and other improvements. It also contains improved discipline procedures to ensure greater fairness for workers and wage increases of 1.5, 1.75 and 2 per cent over a three-year contract.
“The drivers have done their part to address the financial challenges facing the region,” Ahn said. “Now the real work begins for the employer to resolve the serious cost issues it faces elsewhere.”
An initial strike deadline set for 5a.m. today was moved to 5a.m. Wednesday, April 5 after a tentative deal was reached Sunday afternoon. Talks with the Region began in December 2016. Unifor Local 4304 represents transit operators, service attendants and skilled trades workers at Grand River Transit.
“Safety and fairness were our primary concerns going into these talks, and the union is pleased with the progress made to achieve those goals,” said Unifor National Representative Tim Mitchell.
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Of note, new buses will now feature shields between the drivers and the rest of the bus.
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