Le temps des négociations
Nous nous engageons dans la neuvième journée de grève.
Hier, nous avons conclu un accord avec la section locale 5500 du SCFP, ce qui prouve que nous pouvons atteindre une entente. Les deux parties ont travaillé très fort et sont arrivées à une entente satisfaisante pour les employés, les contribuables et la direction. Nous ratifierons l’entente à une réunion extraordinaire du Conseil vendredi matin.
Un cas de réglé sur deux
Ce matin, j’ai rencontré le vice-président du SUT, Randy Graham, et nous avons convenu de reprendre les négociations dès que possible sans conditions préalables. Notre rencontre s’est traduite en une demande conjointe effectuée par la section locale du SUT au médiateur fédéral en vue d’organiser la réunion. C’est un premier pas vers la résolution de cette grève.
Les pourparlers débuteront dès que possible et toutes les questions seront abordées.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 2:12
Don’t give into the Unions DEMANDS!
Cut the $2,000 signing bonus too.
Stay strong Larry.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 2:14
Finally some good news.
Hope it goes well.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 2:19
About bloody time - show some leadership!
décembre 18th, 2008 at 3:21
Mr. Mayor,
I’m happy to hear this good news. Wouldn’t it make sense to deem it an essential service at the same time? That way we can avoid another strike(threat of) down the road. Also, if it is possible, remove the $2000 bonus from the table and give it to the citizens that incurred extra expenses as a direct result of the strike.
Thank you.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 4:31
End this Strike! Ottawans are tired of being punished by the stubbornness of the ATU, Larry, Kent, and Alan.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 5:28
Why do I get the feeling this a publicity stunt?
décembre 18th, 2008 at 5:40
r u kidding guys this transit system is not going 2 b declared an essential service ever,know the reasons we have 2 pay drivers $28.00/hr just like other canadian cities now they r out only for $24./hr thats why this current system of scheduling was introduced 9 years ago.we have to take that back don’t even bother giving them any raise—ho-ho-ho-poor bus drivers
décembre 18th, 2008 at 5:51
give drivers 200000$ signing bonus. guareenteed sign
décembre 18th, 2008 at 8:08
Mr. Mayor,
The strike by ATU has taught us a valuable lesson - OC Transpo unions have too much power over our lives and livelihoods. The reason for that is elected officials have given OC Transpo a monopoly. That monopoly must be broken. It would be in the best interest of taxpayers if you initiated a process as soon as possible to end OC Transpo’s monopoly on public transit in Ottawa Competition to OC Transpo would give residents an alternative in the event of any future strikes at OC. In addition, it would force the unions at OC Transpo to temper their contract demands. Given what we have been through and still are enduring, it would be sheer madness to pour billions of taxpayers’ dollars into public transit infrastructure that served only to make us more reliant on an OC Transpo monopoly.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 8:15
Many are loosing jobs, downsized, lay offs. I would like to see a pay cut for all ATU members like the rest of the workers in the real world ( one ones who have job for today).
—————————————————–
-B.C. coal miners face holiday layoffs
(CBC) - The largest employer in the Kootenays is scaling back its workforce to weather the economic times.
-Teck Cominco, which employs about 5,000 people in southwest B.C., announced Monday it will close its five coal mines over the holidays
-Working under a cloud of layoffs for the last two months, Essar Steel Algoma workers are being asked to cut their workweek and paycheque
-Sun Media Corp. is cutting about 600 jobs and reducing its workforce by close to 10 per cent.
-thirty-four of the 44 office, clerical and technical workers offered an early retirement package from Xstrata Nickel have accepted the deal
.Nortel Networks Corp. cutting 1,300 job cuts, and several Bay Street firms swinging the axe..
.
.
décembre 18th, 2008 at 9:02
Do not give in to the demands of this Union. Even though this strike has caused us some short term pain - in the long run will will see the benefits of this - as long as we do not give in to the demands of the ATU. Do not budge one inch on the issue of scheduling - this is too important and the savings to the taxpayers is too great in regards to this issue. These bus drivers have it too good and there is no way that we can afford them as it is - say NO to the outrageous demands of this Union - the City of Ottawa must NOT budge one inch in this matter - no matter how long this strike might last!
décembre 18th, 2008 at 9:50
Kevin Shea……….. Hope you won’t be disappointed…………… but…… LoL You really are so out of touch …. or just ignorant of the transit industry as a whole. Do some homework! Educate yourself my boy.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:34
Such brilliance I’ve been reading over the past few days, from both the mayor and the other assorted right-wingers who salivate over crushing unions.
By all means, destroy this union (not to mention other ones). Reduce wages and perks to the bone. Force those ungrateful workers to work even harder for lower pay.
Then, with less money flowing because more people are poorer, the bad times already affecting Canada will hit all the worse.
Your understanding of the situation leaves me breathless.
(Still waiting for people to explain why they don’t form unions in their workplaces to get better wages than begging for sops from employers who make money off their sweat in the first place.)
décembre 19th, 2008 at 7:09
In regards to the comment about making public transit private or ending the monoploy, it will never happen as PUBLIC transit systems DO NOT MAKE MONEY. If it was private, no one would be able to pay the fairs.
If this was the case, then it would of been made private years ago and you would see it happening in all cities. So please people, lets use a bit of common sense!
I find this job more then frustrating and hard on my family when my husband is gone for almost a 12 hour day and gets paid for only 6. When his shift starts in the middle of a run and ends on the road and it takes him over an hour to pick up the car to get home and that is all time not paid for. Or when he is given a shift at another station and has to drive to it, all once again not paid for.
I think the city should do a proper study on how the schedule works and the time a driver doesn’t get paid for and calculate that into their cost savings because I am sure that is well over the $3M/year the mayor is saying he will save with the block booking.
What the public doesn’t understand is that the drivers are basically the lowest paid in the province of Ontario and one of the lower paid in OC Transpo. So they work hard for their wages.
The drivers and their family make a lot of scarifies to keep the buses running for the public. I wish that the public would take that into consideration before laying all the blame on the drivers.
I doubt many of the public would want to work a three hour shift, wait over 4 hours and then another 3 hour shift and then drive home in rush hour traffic.
I really hope this isn’t a stunt on the mayors part and I am glad he is removing himself from the process this weekend.
I really would like to see this strike end of everyone.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 7:37
Don’t give into the Unions DEMANDS!
Lets remove the signing bonus of $2,000 since they did not sign when presented with the contract.
Stay strong Larry.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 8:02
@Kevin, quote “Not a wonder your jobs ill afford you any other means of transportation but by bus.”
Now who’s “thinklessly posting jibberish”? If the world were the way you think it is, you wouldn’t have the freedom to write on this blog. Go back to 1930.
On a more related note, thanks to the union and the city for finally talking. Hopefully it’s not too late for most people; reading the comments over these past days, it’s certainly too late for some…
décembre 19th, 2008 at 8:42
Mr. Mayor hold firm. Take away the bonus otherwise as the rest of Ottawa suffers the drivers get a paid vacation. I will continue to shuttle people around the city for as long as required. We need to reign in these costs.
Noah,
Are you saying that since you accepted a “sub-standard wage increase” in 1999 you have “Paid for this Seniority System” in perpetuity?? So basically you get to keep the advantageous aspects of previous contracts (scheduling) and discard the aspects you don’t like (sub-standard wage increases) when negotiating in 2008. Contracts don’t work like that.
For arguments sake lets say that in the 1999 contract you should have gotten a 15% raise over x amount of years but instead you took 5% to pay for your “Seniority System”. So the 10% you gave up for the contract in 1999 is supposed to pay for the seniority system forever? Are you serious? You can’t really believe that. It would be like saying to my bank: “Here is a big payment to reduce my credit card payments and I expect that the payments will always remain low even if I make more purchases on the card.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 8:45
I support the city and am willing to hold-out as long as necessary. Mayor, please ensure the Bus Driver’s do not get a deal as good as the one they were offered before the strike.
I fear if they get their way, or even what they were offered before, it could set a dangerious trend in the city.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 8:50
I like the comment about the $2000 signing bonus posted above. How many drivers would get that bonus? 2500? 2500*$2000 = $5,000,000.
$5,000,000/250,000 transit users = $20.
Perhaps by re-directing bonus money and giving each of the 250,000 passengers a $20 discount for the month immediately after the strike will help repair the damage.
It would be excellent Public Relations and really send a strong message to employees who should be greatful to have a job in economic times like this.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 8:56
Mr Mayor,
I am glad that contract negotiations will resume. I hope that a long term view is included in this and that a “minimum required level of service” is defined so that we never end up in this situation again. A “minimum required level of service” will promote goodwill towards the union, and it will help those who are hurt the most by a complete cessation of public transport; everybody wins.
It’s a long term view and, dare I say, VISION that will make the difference here. Please make sure that the sacrifices made by the 1.2 million people in Ottawa were worth it.
Sincerely,
GJ Hagenaars
décembre 19th, 2008 at 9:14
Noah,
I think the scheduling solution should be quite simple. Kill the seniority priviledge and start a rotating shift. That should give every No See Transpo worker at least one weekend a month. I understand that weekends are a luxury that everyone would enjoy but there are many people who have spent years without having their weekends off. Try doing tech support or customer service via call centres. I spent almost 4 years with rarely a weekend to myself. I think I had maybe 6 weekends over that span of time. I know where you are coming from in that respect, but the fact is in this day and age not everyone gets to enjoy a traditional week-end. As for the split shifts, it seems to me that they are a necesarry evil in order to help with rush hour times. You guys need to suck it up, or else go find another line of work. Simple.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 10:59
Sillypeople - your husband and every other driver employed was glad to accept these jobs under these conditions. Now is not the time to cry us a river. You should be grateful your family has the job security it has and stop the whining. I expect our Mayor to hold tight and not give in to this bullying.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 11:01
I am in favour of demoving the $2,000 signing bonus.
Use that money for something else, such as improving service, additional busses, TRAINING, something besides a bonus to the union members.
Just a reminder to everyone, their raise is retro active to April 2008 (currently set at 3% for 2008, 2% for 2009, and 2% for 2010).
You do the quick math - they don’t need a $2,000 bonus.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 11:40
All I care about is that the contract gats negociated with all the term including the scheduling and their is an contract that the union accepts and the bus are back on the road. Thank you all the extra spending I needed to do this month for gas and parking and could had been use for xmas gifts
décembre 19th, 2008 at 11:56
Ottawa - The battle of the Amalgamations continues this weekend as the glorious ATU returns to the table to show the new “city” of Ottawa who controls the regional government.
Poor weather and general suckiness have led to tempers running high both in the ranks of drivers and among the transit afflicted members of the populace during the ten day bus driver’s strike.
Earlier this week, feathers flew at the regional bunker as one councillor broke ranks with his colleagues, suggesting that Ottawa’s hard-earned reputation as “the laughingstock of the nation” would be in jeopardy if the strike were to end prematurely.
While reports vary on the degree of public support the strikers have, there is a general sentiment that the grubby and uncomfortable transit that is embodied in the OC Transpo buses should be returned to service by sometime in the coming year, or failing that in time for the 2010 Ontario municipal elections.
The Amalgamated City of Ottawa, created by provincial fiat in 2000, continues to be studied around the world by academics, governance professionals, and democracy advocates, as a cautionary tale. The promise of financial savings the restructuring was to provide has proven difficult to realize, as a result of the local politics surrounding existing municipal debt and unresolved human resource management costs.
The current city management’s strategy is to ride out the failures as long as the finances and residual public tolerance will allow, while focussing attention and effort on preparing soft landings in other venues.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 12:16
Mayor OBrien,
This also outlines the need for subway system with limited driver involvment ( like Vancouver..etc .) so incase of strike this can be made essential.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 12:38
Fire the bunch of them…. they deserve nothing less…
décembre 19th, 2008 at 12:50
Once again, the selfish, self-centred “me-society” of Ottawa has spoken.
Most of you don’t know anything about how this stuff all works and you’re sitting there saying “fire them all” and ridiculous rantings such as that.
Take a breath Ottawa, and remember if you can, that there are families behind these workers and while you’re suffering at not being able to get to the malls to do your shopping, there are those for whom there will be considerable less shopping this year.
Selfish selfish selfish. Think of someone else for a change. Think about how you’d feel if one of these workers was your father, brother, husband, son, sister, etc. I think you would feel differently. Remember the Golden Rule and wake up! Everyone wants more for themselves and their family.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:16
http://www.ottawatransitstrike.com
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:19
here os a site for all to visit
http://www.ottawatransitstrike.com
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:38
For a view on the other side of the coin.
http://www.ottawatransitstrike.com/
The unions view of the strike.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:42
I’ll keep my comment simple…I need busses to get around, and this last week has been pure hell. As a student, it’s bad enough that I had trouble getting to exams. But for people to expect we can just carpool, or cab to wherever we need to go, please take a moment and think about what you are saying. I am a student, I work two jobs just to pay off tuition, and I happen to live out in the far end of one of the furthest subburbs from downtown. So clearly, I don’t have the money to buy a car, I don’t have the money to cab, and its a struggle to find people to carpool with when there are hardly any students in the area I live in. So please, take a moment and realize what this bus strike has done. It has stranded people, caused people to lose jobs and/or money from their jobs. Not only that, but its the holiday season, and the weather isn’t exactly helpful either. Forcing this many cars on the road in this kind of weather is simply asking for car accidents. Please, get the busses back on the roads, for the sake of all citizens of Ottawa.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:58
Diane and all the other people who are against the drivers and complain that they don’t have job security - why don’t you step up and apply to be a bus driver yourself?
Second Peter McCallum get your math right. It is pretty simple.
2300 union works times $2,000 bonus is equal to $4.6 Million.
Melanie_D - well said!
Like with any union, of course the raise to retro active to when the contract expired. What is happening here is not unreasonable or unheard of from any unionized environment.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:58
Under no circumstances give in to the union. I know it is a great burden on a lot of people but we will survive and we can not be the only city in North America to give a union so much power. We can not afford to let them run things the way they want to. Sterling Tubman
décembre 19th, 2008 at 1:59
Perfect time to negotiate. Schools are closed and many people are on holidays for the next two weeks. The city (read TAXPAYERS) need to scrap the $2000 bonus being offered, freeze wages, and take control of booking.
Sorry ATU, the glory days of drivers working an hour a day and getting paid for eight needs to stop. NOW!
décembre 19th, 2008 at 2:08
I know you are going to talk with ATU again this Saturday. just want to let you know that I support you.
Mr. O’Brien, please, don’t give up. Let them keep on strike. Just don’t let those people who take money from taxpayer but use taxpayer as the weapon get what they want but not deserve. Don’t let those people who “try our best to inconvient people and what wrong with that ” win.
Thank you Mr. O’Brien.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 2:37
Good luck with the talks this weekend.
I was talking to an out of town Algonquin student yesterday who said he was going to have to stop his studies in January because he will not have any reliable means of getting from the place he is renting to school. Adding free parking does not help people like that.
Let focus on “closing the deal” or “getting the deal done” or whatever other line you like. That needs to be the most important issue..by far.
Looking forward to seeing the maple leaves driving around the city Monday morning….and there is zero reason why they shouldn’t be.
Get ‘er done Larry!
décembre 19th, 2008 at 2:44
Mel D,
You definately have a selective memory. You think the citizens of Ottawa are selfish?
I can’t get to work
I can’t get to the doctor
I can’t make my exams
I can’t get to the grocery store
Yeah I’d call those people selfish for wanting to live their lives the way you do. Your husband may be able to continue supporting you in the lifestyle that you are accustomed to, and you may be able to afford a car/truck/van to get around town, but again, your husband has that Guaranteed job, so he will still have a job to return to.
Mel D and Silly People,
While your husband may be on the lowest paid public transit service in Ontario, he is still making $25+/hr! I’m sorry sweetheart but you won’t find any sympathy from myself. I’m pretty sure the people earning $12/hr or less are also feeling the crunch with this strike. I am going to lose out on a week of work thanks to the strike because I can’t find an alternate car pool. That will cost me almost $600 since I work through a temp agency. Meanwhile your husband and the other drivers apparantly will still have the $2000 signing bonus on the table. Not cool at all.
If No See Transpo had decided to strike in the summer, I would bet that more people would be supportive, since travelling in the late spring/summer/early fall would be a million times easier. If the City of Ottawa had pulled it’s collective head out of it’s collective arse and negotiated back in the spring when the contract was initially up, we could have avoided all the hate and misery at a time when peace on earth and goodwill to all should be rampant. The fact that the UNION decided to strike during this time and the DRIVERS voted 98% in favour of striking at that time just goes to show that they are just as bad, if not worse than the City of Ottawa. Thanks to BOTH sides the citizens of Ottawa have been given a big steaming pile of crap as a Christmas gift. Thank you both.
So, in closing, I’d just like to say that while you may not like reading about us bashing the drivers, they are more to blame than the city, for their poor choice of timing for the strike.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 2:59
1ST OF ALL THANKS MR.MAYOR FOR POSTING MY COMMENTS ON YOUR WEB-SITE BECAUSE THIS IS FIRST TIME THEY GOT POSTED (DUE THIER TRUTHFULLNESS).
I AM AN OTTAWA BUS OPERATOR & I APOLOGIZE TO CITY RESIDENTS FOR PUTTING THEM IN INCONVENIENCE WHICH I THINK WAS NOT MY FAULT AT-ALL
HERE R ANSWERS TO OTTAWA RESIDENTS QUESTIONS- WHICH IS PLAIN TRUTH
1. CITY(COUNCIL,MANAGERS) KNEW THIS STRIKE COMING FROM THE VERY BEGINING WHEN THEY INTRODUCED THIS SCHEDULING OR BLOCK BOOKING ISSUE —WHICH WILL PLAY HAVOC IN THE LIVES OF BUS OPERATORS —-AND INTENDED TO MANIPULATE THIS ISSUE IN FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS WITH ATU-279 ALONG WITH SAVING MONEY WITH NONE-SO EVER REGARD FOR COMMUTERS,SENIOR CITIZENS & LOCAL BUISNESSES.
SO THIS STRIKE WAS NOT INTENDED BY UNION OR ITS MEMBERS.
2. WHY WOULD PRIME MINISTER S. HARPER CALL ELECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?—- CAUSE HE SAW A MAJORITY CONSERVATIVE GOV. COMING AND SO DID LIBERALS IN QUEBEC—i.e.(THAT IS) FOR THERE OWN GOOD.
THATS WHY WE HAVE TO CHOOSE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR TO NEGOTIATE.
3. WHY ATU- 279 IS CREATING INCONVENIENCE BY PICKETING?
BECAUSE THIS IS CONSTITUTIONAL AND WILL BE KEEPING PEOPLE AWAY FROM THIER HOMES LONGER DURING THIS TRANSIT STRIKE ONLY BUT IF WE ACCEPTED THIS CONTRACT WE WILL BE KEPT AWAY FROM OUR HOMES,FAMILIES LONGER (13&1/2hrs instead of 12hrs, including commute about 14&1/2hrs) DURING OUR WHOLE SERVICE-LIFE.
4. WHY NOT DECLARE THIS TRANSIT SYSTEM AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE ———-BECAUSE ITS FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CITY DOSEN’T WANT IT READ THIS
r u kidding guys this transit system is not going 2 b declared an essential service ever,know the reasons we have to pay drivers $28.00/hr just like other canadian cities now they r out only for $24./hr thats why this current system of scheduling was accepted 9 years ago.we have to take that system back & don’t even bother giving them any raise—ho-ho-ho-poor bus drivers
AT THE END THERE R STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS BUT EACH HAS FULLY EXPLAINABLE ANSWERS IF U THINK LITTLE DEEPLY & RATIONALLY,THANKS ALL..
RUTHFULLNESS–
décembre 19th, 2008 at 3:07
Like many other people, I want the strike over with.
But we need to ask ourselves, at what costs?
I am not willing to give into all the unions demands.
In fact, I would like the opposite, reduce the benefits offered in the last offer.
If the drivers don’t like it, they can find a new job. THAT’S WHAT I HAVE HAD TO DO IN THE PAST.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 3:12
I hope the city and the ATU each supplement this generous donation:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Business/Mart+donation+Kettle+Campaign+offsets+shortfall+blamed+transit+strike/1096576/story.html
décembre 19th, 2008 at 3:35
To SillyPeople:
Competition to OC Transpo can work quite easily and be affordable to users. Here’s how. Currently, taxpayers provide over 50% of the revenue to OC Transpo. Bus riders provide the rest of the revenue. So what we do is subsidize the competitors to OC Transpo as well, but we provide them with smaller per passenger subsidies than OC receives. Taxpayers save money and it is better for transit users. They get choice, better customer service, fewer problems if OC is on strike, and innovatitive new servives (e.g. pick-up at your front door by a mini-bus could be one new service offered). As well, competition will force OC to be more efficient and more customer focused.
The unions at OC will object of course, but to those paying the bills (transit users and taxpayers) it would be a major improvement.
To Noah:
Pointing to wages for bus drivers in other cities is essentially a meaningless exercise. You can say you make less than a bus driver in Toronto, but you probably make more than a bus driver in Halifax or a Greyhound bus driver for that matter. The Devil, as they say, is in the details. Wages are linked to many factors. For example, one is cost of living. You might be paid more to drive a bus in Toronto, but it costs you a lot more to buy a house there than in Ottawa. It costs less to buy a house in Halifax than in Ottawa and bus drivers there make less than they do in Ottawa. Productivity is another important factor in determining wages. The bus drivers in other cities likely don’t have the option to work 6 hours and be paid for 8 as is the case at OC for senior drivers.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 3:42
Intergrity and honesty is an important part of our lives. When you speak for the city, speak the truth. If you expect an informed descison only truthful facts will allow that.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 4:05
“By a vote of 16-5, council voted to look at ways of compensating businesses for loses during the strike.”
Don’t you freaking dare. This affects everyone, not just businesses. While I empathise with how much the stupidity of both parties is causing everyone, I strongly believe the use of tax dollars to compensatate businesses because of potential (and wholly un-provable) losses due to the strike. It’s a ridiculous motion, and would be a horrible precedent.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 4:12
Considering the impact of this strike to the city, should we not consider transit service an essential service? Before spending multi-billion dollars on the “big new” transit (light rail and all).
décembre 19th, 2008 at 4:29
Thank you “An Oc Transpo Passanger” for sharing your hardships! You are definitely not alone!
I agree with the statement about selfishness, I feel it is selfish for people who have access to a car to tell Mr. O’Brien to “hold his ground” and claim that they are willing to “wait it out”. It is simply not a possibility for some. Many many University and College students cannot afford a vehicle.
I just graduated from th University of Ottawa and I am now working full-time for a NGO. With student debt and my current “starting out” salary, I do not have the luxury of affording a vehicle, nor will I be able to for awhile, as I plan to return to graduate school. It is not those that are Uneducated who depend on the bus.
Kevin, you are the one “thinklessly posting jibberish”…To my knowledge, “thinklessly” is not an word in the English language. How educated are you I wonder?
Stop attacking fellow blog respondents, gain some maturity, and post some intelligent insight…for once.
décembre 19th, 2008 at 8:51
people who think all the bus drivers work one hour & get paid for 8 hrs r just ——-guys the driver who gets full day pay for working 6 hrs only r ur back-ups that in case of emergenies like accidents,poor weather or people calling in sick on-duty or off-duty, they go out.now a senior driver who is spare or standing-by need to make his full day if he gets to work a junior driver’s 6hr work———-got it.u cannot eliminate them cause u need them all the time as back-ups so i will suggest u the general public to stay out of these matters if u don’t have common sense at-all.
ANYOTHER SERIOUS QUESTIONS
décembre 19th, 2008 at 9:32
Sean Patrick said:
“I understand that weekends are a luxury that everyone would enjoy but there are many people who have spent years without having their weekends off. Try doing tech support or customer service via call centres. I spent almost 4 years with rarely a weekend to myself.”
More abuse from employers which begs the question: why not form a union for yourself and the others who were getting shafted?
Misery might love company (and insist on it in these circumstances), but why should people fighting for their rights simply have those rights tossed in the garbage when others refuse to follow their excellent example?
“You guys need to suck it up, or else go find another line of work. Simple.”
Right. Enduring exploitation or job-loss is very manly. People should have it done to them more often and more intensely.
Not into S&M, are you Sean?
décembre 19th, 2008 at 11:50
All I could say is.
My two boys 11 and 9 think this strike is awesome. They get to have Dad home for breakfast and supper.( NO CLUE) They told me they wish this strike goes on for a long time.They have Dad back. Never did think of it quite like that….
What a view from a kids eyes.
We are all affected by this strike. And most of us did not want this. We voted against the contract. It was up to the city and ATU to come together and work this out.
They both decided to wait it out. Waste of time.
I find it unbelievable how all of a sudden we the public of Ottawa have all the confidence in our politicians to be 100% truthful. They have never lied to us before or hidden some facts. I wish they would have shared everything with you all in regards to this contract, but they didn’t. Now all of a sudden it will be quiet and in the hands of professionals. How nice. What changed.
You have painted us all with the same brush. (that’s to bad) Cause we are all very different. We are all the same when it come to this work we do and believe it’s in the best interest to every worker in this field.
As far as I’m concerned. When this is all done. We the drivers will be back on the front lines taking all the abuse while the dispatchers and mechanic are back working in the garage. You want to be a driver? I don’t know anymore.
What I do know is how bad I feel about this whole situation and what it has caused everyone. I would be the first person to help someone in need.( And Have Many times during this Strike). Hope this gets cleared up soon so we can get back to serving you the public. I personally would like to apologize for all the disruption.
décembre 20th, 2008 at 9:21
Sean Patrick - I came on here to try to educate the city about the challenges that the drivers face. By the way, my husband does not make the full wages as it is a progressive scale and it takes 2 years to reach the full wages.
And you know what (not that you will care) we will feel this as well. My husband has lost 2 weeks worth of pay over this strike and we are down to a single income in our house.
Also Sean those people choose to work at jobs that pay that much. Nothing is stopping them from applying to better their career. Like I said before, if they want those kinds of wages, they can apply to be a bus driver.
This strike isn’t just about the drivers, the union also represents the mechanics as well.
If the city can remove the block booking from the supervisors contract, then they can do the same for the drivers.
Michael - It would only cost taxes payers more to run more subsidize transit. And it would be a scheduling nightmare to go and pick people up at their door. If you expect that kind of service, you might as well drive in a car. Like I said, if it actually saved money, companies would of been on this band wagon a long time ago! Also your theory would be adding more cars/vans on the road already adding to the traffic/pollution issue.
I want all you people who come on here to post to ask yourself, if your employer was taking away your benefits, reducing your sick days to less then what other city employees have, death payout, taking away how you schedule your work - how would you feel? how would you feel after investing yourself into that company? If you where part of a union, I am sure you would take part in what your rights are as a member.
Also the people who post here should know that the drivers did not select this time to strike. The city sets up when the negotiations are, not the union. The drivers voted against the new contract and it was the union leaders that decided to strike.
For everyone’s sanity, I really hope that the city and the union will reach an agreement this weekend. I know I want this silliness to be over and my husband wants to go back to work.
décembre 20th, 2008 at 12:53
Stand your ground Larry. I use the OC Transpo and I don’t own a car, but these days I’m car pooling. Sure it is an inconvenience for me to get to work, get my medicine or get my blood tests done, but the OC Transpo workers could have gone on strike back in March when their contract ended. If you look at the history of bus strikes (and the threat of bus strikes) in Ottawa the union always does it in the winter months so it will inconvenience its passengers the most.
Todd:
Tech support via call centers can’t really form unions because it becomes cheaper for the company to offshore the job.
décembre 20th, 2008 at 3:44
Mr. Mayor,
In earlier posts I have encouraged you to lead the way in opening the door to competition to OC Transpo. As I noted, there are many benefits for transit users and taxpayers. In the Ottawa Citizen of December 19th on page A15, there was an excellent article on this topic by a policy analyst who works at the C.D. Howe Institute in Toronto. His name is Benjamin Dachis and the article is entitled “Avoid Strikes and Improve Transit”. Among other information, he provides examples of cities where there is competition to the local, publicly-owned transit company. Competition in public transit can and does work. There is a link to the article below. It is lengthy. Hope it works.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Avoid+strikes+improve+transit/1092379/story.html
décembre 20th, 2008 at 11:01
I was reading the news on the negotiations. I realize there is a black out and am therefore not expecting any comments about that matter. Hope it is going well.
What I did want to bring up is this: Why, in this city, do we have to do everything so third rate?
I was reading the ctv article http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081220/OTT_strike_update_081220/20081220/?hub=OttawaHome
and it said “If a deal comes, OC Transpo buses probably won’t be running until late next week. There would be limited service for the first two days before the system is fully operational, according to the city.”
Why on earth does it take so long? They already have all the schedules and such (since they would have needed them if there was no strike). What on earth takes days to get things started up.
When the TTC as on strike they were legislated back to work on a Sunday and system was fully operational on Monday morning and I believe at least some (if not all) was back up Sunday afternoon.
In New York, their (illegal) strike ended at 2:35PM and service was officially restored at midnight. Trains and buses begun moving into position within a couple hours. The service was ramped up incrementally overnight into rush hour the next morning. By midday they were at full service…and they are much bigger than we are!!!!
It is absolutely shameful that it takes us so long. No wonder some people think we suck as a city.
décembre 21st, 2008 at 1:29
I think that if the members were permitted to vote on the previous offer, there would have been no strike, but instead Cornellier seemed it was ok for him to be the dictator and decide for everyone,workers and public. I thought things were decided in a union by majority memeber votes. Make sure this one comes back the OC members.
décembre 21st, 2008 at 8:07
Stop using the press to negotiate.
Stop killing our city.
Why did you put off the meeting until the weekend? It seems to me that something so urgent should have been dealt with immediately. You met with the union rep to arrange a meeting–typical government fat, IMO.
Stop grandstanding and get to work. Enough is enough, mayorlarry.
décembre 21st, 2008 at 8:11
Your worship -
Premier Dalton McGuinty admitted last week that municipal property assessments mailed to homes across Ontario this fall are “unrealistic” given dramatic drops in the financial and real estate markets.
He said that municipal councils across Ontario should keep in mind that the assessments are out of date when they prepare local property tax bills.
What is your response, Mr. Mayor? Will the city account for these unrealistic assessments in the 2009 tax cycle?
décembre 21st, 2008 at 9:04
“I wanted to let you know that you and the city of Ottawa have my support with regards to the current OC Transpo strike.”
I totally endorse the comments of earlier posters who expressed these sentiments.
The OC Transpo union have severly hurt the most vulnerable in Ottawa thus since Xmas is here, let them stay on the picket line over Xmas and New Years reflecting on how they played the role of the “Grinch”
No more - make them an essential service.
décembre 21st, 2008 at 3:26
http://www.ottawatransitstrike.com
CHECK THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE FELLAS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2008
Ottawa: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 President Andre Cornellier announced today that his Union would accept the terms of a settlement proposed by an unbiased mediator appointed by the Federal Ministry of Labour. “This federal mediator is an expert in collective bargaining and labour-management relations. The federal government recognizes him as a neutral third party. He has spent time with both sides, has listened carefully to the issues that remain in dispute, and has suggested a middle-ground position that we are prepared to accept today and end the labour dispute.” Cornellier added, “Our members would be back to work in less than twenty-four hours if Mayor O’Brien accepted the mediator’s proposal. If the Mayor is not willing to listen to the federal mediator, then it is his decision that the residents of this city should suffer through a long and difficult dispute.”
The City walked away from the Mediator’s proposal, guaranteeing the service would come to a halt. “It’s not the drivers, or the Union that caused this, by walking away from the mediator’s proposal, Mayor Larry O’Brien might as well have locked-out our members.”
President Cornellier added, “We regret that our riders are having to trudge through the snow, and that traffic is moving slowly, but this Mayor is trying to show he’s tough on unions, and that he’s a strong leader. What he’s doing though, is trying to recover from the mess he made in the city budget. He’s doing that by refusing what a neutral party sees as a reasonable deal. The effect is just as serious as if he had locked our members out.” The City is looking to undo the freely negotiated scheduling system introduced in 1999. That was a difficult time for OC Transpo, when morale was at an all time low. The Union has determined that the savings the City would achieve are a fraction of a percent of the total budget. “We don’t want to return to those days” Cornellier stated.
Craig Watson, a driver commented, “before the current scheduling system I worked every weekend for ten years, under the existing system I can have a better balance between weekdays and weekend shifts – that will all change if the City gets its way.” “The length of this dispute is entirely in the Mayor’s hands right now.” Cornellier concluded. “He just has to pick up the phone.”
décembre 22nd, 2008 at 8:46
Do not give the OC Transpo drivers the $2,000 signing bonus. Today has been the coldest day that we have so far since the drivers went on strike.
I hope that they are as cold as I was this morning.
décembre 22nd, 2008 at 9:36
If the City gives in on the scheduling issue, and gives the $2,000 bonus - the strike will be for nothing.
City Hall must be strong.
City Hall must listen to the residents of Ottawa - and they are saying reduce the current offer - and don’t give in.
décembre 22nd, 2008 at 9:55
Carl says:
“Tech support via call centers can’t really form unions because it becomes cheaper for the company to offshore the job.”
Let’s take that as a given (”The Capital Mobility Argument”); isn’t that the point where unions (or those who want to form them) need to lobby the government or work to vote into power people who will counter that (or at least threaten a company who wants to jump ship like that with some kind of sanction)?
And that particular club can be used by owners only so much: they’ll use it to drive down wages when they feel they need to do it, make employees give up perks, etc. While the human tolerance for being oppressed and exploited is huge, it’s not infinite.
It’s hard to get up and fight when you’re afraid (the bus drivers have been doing it in the public eye, to boot), but if you don’t stand your ground, the bosses will certainly make you part of it.
décembre 22nd, 2008 at 10:34
Mel_D.
I disagree with your opinion that ottawa is selfish The OC transpo drivers should realize that our country is in a recession. Many people have gotten laid off including my partner. He would take anything right now. The OC transpo drivers etc should welcome to the real world of shift changes and not being able to chose your own schedules. My father worked for the mines for 30 plus years and he never once got to chose his own schedule and was working shift work. Also the driver shouldn’t receive any more money since they are making more in the next 3 years then what the federal government will get and yet they are making more then some of the federal employees for annual salary.
Larry O’Brien, Please work out a deal with the transit union because Ottawa needs to get around some how. I have a medical condition that requires treatment atthe hospital 3 times week. Right now I don’t have a car or transit so I walk to the hospital which is around 20 mins from house there and back. A few times already after treatment I had trouble going home since I wasn’t feel well afterwards. Now that the weather is getting worst what well I do?? I can’t miss treatments.. What about older people that can’t walk what will they do?? I hope to hear good news for christmas that the strike will be over.
décembre 22nd, 2008 at 5:51
In a time when all of us are having to tighten our belts, how is it that OC Transpo workers have the gall to demand wasteful regulations? The $2K signing bonus needs to be OFF the table. In Andre Cornelier’s own words, “this is not about money.” Fine, so don’t give them money. As tax payers, we simply cannot take the added strain. That money would be better spent on food banks and bus pass REDUCTIONS - things that Ottawa residents are going to be needing more and more as we weather this recession.
As a part-time student and part-time worker, I have been hit very hard by this strike. I had to walk for over an hour and a half through unploughed sidewalks to get to exams. I’ve had to beg for rides from my co-workers who have graciously gone out of their way so that I can continue working. One of my co-workers who lives particularly far away has not been able to come in at all! Grocery shopping is incredibly difficult as I must walk home on icy side-walks with heavy loads. My husband, who works two jobs to support our family, has had to hire taxies every day - something which is costing us a great deal. After all this, I will not accept that OC Transpo workers get a wage increase - they simply do not deserve it. The union has shown nothing but a profound disrespect for their customers. We cannot reward them for this behaviour. Despite all the hardships this strike has heaped upon us, I would be more than willing to continue going without if it means not giving them what they ask for.
décembre 22nd, 2008 at 11:57
I can’t honestly believe people here are calling people complaining, selfish. I can’t help but be puzzled at that. How are we selfish ? You honestly think that all that is affected is our shopping ? Some people have to sit back and think of what is affected by these 2,100 people striking mainly for the right to make their own shifts. The local business’s that rely on our shopping…as commercial as you want to make it…it’s the local economy. Without it we die as a city. The people who rely on transit to move through the city to everything from Dr’s apps to school to work to family etc etc etc…. The traffic congestion that causes monumental safety concerns. Have you seen the emergency vehicles trying to squeesze through the core at rush hour ? The increased response time. I would like to see a report after the strike on how many people died as a result of slow response times or stress induced heart attacks. You would be ignorant to laugh at this. Stress is a major factor in life and being stuck in traffic or worrying about gettting here or there is seriously stress inducing. All these concerns and people who are affected as a direct result of this strike does not point to selfishness is my books. Do we feel sorry for the union members and their families for the financial hardships they are facing as they are on strike ? I only feel sorry for the employees who did not want the strike and were happy with the offer. These are mostly the junior drivers who are at the bottom of the totem pole in the eyes of the senior drivers. A true union ‘caste’ system. Not a stitch of pity for the members who brought this upon themselves with no regard whatsoever for the rest of the population….at Christmas. I will be curious to see who will ask for our forgiveness and kindness as the drivers return to work after this debacle. How are we to be considerate to them when they have shown complete disdain towards us ? How are we to feel sorry for them ? Truly terrorist tactics, and we are to feel pity or side against the city to ‘just get the buses running’ ? No. We have to show unions that these tactics don’t work anymore. It’s time to stop using the general public as hostages to force your hand. We are not the selfish ones. Not even freaking close. Fed up is more like it. Don’t give in to them…..
décembre 23rd, 2008 at 12:20
Nice Chaki…..I should’nt even comment on your view of your strike. I can barely understand what you wrote. You did see the investigative report on how senior drivers have manipulated the present system to get called in, hear ‘oops sorry…don’t need you’ and then go home to get paid for their ’shift’ ? Right ? You know, we ‘the general public’, whom actually pay ‘ur’ wages and benefits, have a head on our shoulders and a good chunk of us do follow what is going on in ‘ur’ world….as…..ummmm….it affects us on a daily basis. Ur as bad as ur leader…..Andre. Sad attitude to have and does nothing to make us ‘general public folk’ feel any empathy or solidarity towards you. None. If I have to dumb that down for you……we know whats going on…we don’t agree…get back to work…you are making yourself look bad. I certainly hope you are part of but a very very very small minority of union members as you have the same ‘^%$^!! you all attitude as your boss seemingly has. And you will no doubt selfishly feel that we the ‘general public’ should treat you with respect and love as if nothing has happened when you come back. LOL.
décembre 23rd, 2008 at 8:18
Mr. Mayor:
With all due respect sir, the time to negotiate was Dec 11. I do not understand why there was a wait.
With regard to the negotiations, bear in mind - you might not get YOUR schedule, but the drivers don’t have to get theirs either. There are alternatives to this. And if safety was truly an issue, why wait for the negotiations? That stinks of spin whether it’s true or not.
décembre 23rd, 2008 at 1:56
It is pretty obvious that the other “Kevin” in this and other threads must either be a bus driver or be related to some of these strikers! If the other “Kevin” was as “educated” as he seems to want everyone else to be - he woyuld already know that these strikers will now NEVER recover from what they have already lost! Pretty smart stuff eh “Kevin” ????
décembre 23rd, 2008 at 3:48
Dear Mayor, I hope that an aggreement will be reached that will not put the city in this dire position again. I also have concerns that several of the city concillors are on active transit committees, or transportation advisory committees. Would this not put them in a position of conflict of interest at any bargaining table? Are they able to distance themselves and look at the needs of the community at large above their own interests? What if any concillors been individually”aproached” by the people who have alterior motives other than the public good - I’m afraid things like this go on even in Democratic society- I think part of the public distain for politicians stems from a feeling that not everything is haddled above reproach. I am not accusing you as a person but the nonsense going on here and there has created apathy, frustration and worse of all,indifference towards civic pride or duty, among those I have talked to.
Surely we must do better. It is the Nation’s Capital after all!!! Doing the right thing has a price, but the cost of doing the “same ol’ same ol’ “is community bankrupcy. Stand Fast.
S.B.
décembre 23rd, 2008 at 4:50
Sean Patrick - I came on here to try to educate the city about the challenges that the drivers face. By the way, my husband does not make the full wages as it is a progressive scale and it takes 2 years to reach the full wages.
And you know what (not that you will care) we will feel this as well. My husband has lost 2 weeks worth of pay over this strike and we are down to a single income in our house.
Also Sean those people choose to work at jobs that pay that much. Nothing is stopping them from applying to better their career. Like I said before, if they want those kinds of wages, they can apply to be a bus driver.
This strike isn’t just about the drivers, the union also represents the mechanics as well.
If the city can remove the block booking from the supervisors contract, then they can do the same for the drivers.
Michael - It would only cost taxes payers more to run more subsidize transit. And it would be a scheduling nightmare to go and pick people up at their door. If you expect that kind of service, you might as well drive in a car. Like I said, if it actually saved money, companies would of been on this band wagon a long time ago! Also your theory would be adding more cars/vans on the road already adding to the traffic/pollution issue.
I want all you people who come on here to post to ask yourself, if your employer was taking away your benefits, reducing your sick days to less then what other city employees have, death payout, taking away how you schedule your work - how would you feel? how would you feel after investing yourself into that company? If you where part of a union, I am sure you would take part in what your rights are as a member.
Also the people who post here should know that the drivers did not select this time to strike. The city sets up when the negotiations are, not the union. The drivers voted against the new contract and it was the union leaders that decided to strike.
For everyone’s sanity, I really hope that the city and the union will reach an agreement this weekend. I know I want this silliness to be over and my husband wants to go back to work.
décembre 23rd, 2008 at 6:08
I just wanted to be a voice for the people in Ottawa that are suffering from this situation. I have a friend in Ottawa who has to make the choice of getting to work by cab (as he is unable to find carpooling due to his shifts) and buying groceries to live. If this goes on much longer, he will not have the money to pay his rent, have no food and be homeless and on the street. This is just one person amongst many who are suffering. I am not exaggerating here. This has become his reality. I urge the parties to think about these people. If one person is going hungry, loses their apartment, and loses their livelihood, it is too many. So while many are eating full meals this Holiday season in a warm house, I hope they think about the life altering damage that their actions (and I mean both sides) are creating. This is not a joke and a resolve needs to come now not later. This is not just inconveniencing some, it is seriously damaging others lives. Peace to all and I hope for a speedy resolve to allow people to live like they should be able to in this country.
décembre 24th, 2008 at 4:58
The union posted a notice last night stating that talks have ended. Why haven’t you, or the City, posted something? Ashamed of yourself for messing things up again, I would imagine.
décembre 24th, 2008 at 9:03
Dear Mr Mayor I heard you saying that it is matter safety. According to you sir some bus drivers are forced to work 22 hrs with only 2hrs rest.I was the one who had challenge you on michall harris show that if you can prove it anybody that these things are happening at o c traspo then i will donate my 3 months of wages to any charity of choice. But if this thing is true then you will give up 3 months of your wages and donate to atu strike fund. Respectfully waiting for answer. sam
décembre 24th, 2008 at 9:08
Dear Mr Mayor I heard you saying that it is matter of safety. According to you sir some bus drivers are forced to work 22 hrs with only 2hrs rest.I was the one who had challenge you on michall harris show that if you can prove it anybody that these things are happening at o c transpo then i will donate my 3 months of wages to any charity of choice. But if this thing is true then you will give up 3 months of your wages and donate to atu strike fund. Respectfully waiting for answer. sam
décembre 24th, 2008 at 9:56
http://WWW.OTTAWATRANSITSTRIKE.COM
BREAKING NEWS - December 23rd, 2008 11:15 PM
Talks to resolve the labour dispute ended on Tuesday night after the City of Ottawa failed to show any flexibility in the complicated scheduling issue.
Expressing his frustration, President Andre Cornellier stated:
“The Union came to the table tonight to settle this dispute, to put buses back on the road, but Larry O’Brien has made sure none of that will happen.”
“Mayor O’Brien has ignored the expert mediator’s recommendation, and the concerns of many City Councillors, he’s tinkered around the edges of their last position, and not addressed a single part of the scheduling.”
“The Mayor has ignored the original reasons for this scheduling system
- he has decided it will be a long cold winter for Ottawa’s transit users.”
décembre 24th, 2008 at 10:29
Way to blow it, Mr. Mayor. Thanks for nothing.
décembre 24th, 2008 at 10:30
4 days of talks and nothing came out of it. What a disappointing Christmas. How many people rely on the buses??
How many people won’t be able to see their family well into the new year?
Give the drivers what they want.. enough people have been hurt and enough money has been wasted.
décembre 24th, 2008 at 11:09
Please Mayor O’brian. The strike must end, the public can’t take it anymore. Please stop the strike and get them all back to work. This is hurting a lot of people I know who can’t afford any means of transportation. Lucky for us we have a car and try to do our best to help the ones in need. But at a cost. I have missed work to drive people around and could be fired for taking too many days off to drive my grandmother to the doctors. My cousin missing school. I have experience the strike in 96 and I was in high school and have no means to get to school. It was either my parents making money for rent or missing school. These are thought times and 2 weeks is an awful long time. 96 lasted 26 days, I missed a lot of time in class and in the result I failed some course because I missed and exams and there are no excuses.
Please stop this strike, phase out the scheduling or keep the current scheduling. Place a ban on striking in the future and consider it in the next contract. There must be another way to do so. WE THE LOWER CLASS ARE HURTING THE MOST. WE ARE HURTING!!!! OH BTW as the result of this strike I face 2 parking ticket at $55 costing more than a bus pass, will you pay for that. F#@$ We voted for you. The public are in the UNIONS and CITY hands.
décembre 24th, 2008 at 11:34
CHAKI - don’t try and dilute the issue of a full days work for a full days pay. You know this is a contentious issue that has come up at every transit negotiation and then been pulled off the table by the city. The difference this time is it hasn’t been, and won’t be pulled off the table.
If there is no problem with current system this why is it such a contentious issue for both sides?
Why not give union members a chance to vote on the offer?
décembre 24th, 2008 at 10:54
Will i do saved my money for the last 12 months, So i don’t care if the strike will take me another 2 month or so.
Mr Brian if you don’t care about public why should I.
to all people using Negative comment about the drivers all what i can say suck it up. If u don’t like the strike don’t take the bus.
You people needs to appreciated when u coming out from night club and you are too drunk and you can’t even pay taxi like normal people.
In that time you don’t think about Gas, Car and also you don’t think about your safety, Because you are in good hands of the driver.
All what you think about it it’s to get home safe.
You mayor needs to give me what i deserve. Believe me he don’t care about you more then i do.
The city are saving 3 millions dollars/ Week from our back, They try to save the money for the huge mistake that they did on the R. River if you don’t know that story you should comment on that story before you comment on drivers.
With all respect to the Ottawa citizen specially to the seniors.
I Know what the City will do after Two month strike, They will said Oh dear public transit we will give you one week free ride. In two month they will increase the pass pass. Do you say how is there politic.
Will I do care about my customers using my bus, When you get into my bus you will get Free day pass for the next 3 Month.
God bless the justice.
Feliz Navidad Ottawa Public Transit users.
décembre 25th, 2008 at 4:07
end this strike please…..declare oc transpo an essencial servise, and order them back to work, minus the $2000.
décembre 29th, 2008 at 2:10
Mr Mayor,
Now, you will losse pulic support, because the guys whose told you, don’t give them , they havenot any trouble. we guys mostly use bus for all times and we are suffering.
i know that you don’t like union and try to break.. but you don’t know ,due to your strub, we all middle class families paying.
i am not saying to agree with all demands, you both have to compromise in the favour of public….
décembre 29th, 2008 at 6:52
Well OC - I have a transit pass - your deducting it… time to give us our money back - we are incurring extra expenses ….. when are you stopping the deductions…..
You know it’s almost tempting to drive to Rockland to take Leduc bus lines in and out of downtown… maybe it’s time to privatize and stop letting OC hold this city hostage
janvier 6th, 2009 at 11:14
Silly People,
Of course I care. I grew up poor, so I know what it’s like to have to do without. I busted my arse to get where I am today, and had I known when I was younger just how good the OC drivers have it, I’d have applied to be a bus driver back then. But that is why we say hind sight is 20/20.
I know some bus drivers will be in the financial crunch. But so are a lot of transit users who could not make it to work or school. People have lost their jobs during this strike. Yet the OC drivers will return to work, and be able to eventually dig themselves out of whatever financial hole they may have dug themselves. I have to ask though, what about those who lost their jobs? Or the businesses which may have closed thanks to the lack of holiday sales? Unlike Joe public, OC drivers will be able to recover, and they are getting a sweet $2500 “signing bonus” to help make things better.
I have to ask Larry, where is the $2500 for those of us who got screwed thanks to the strike? Will we all see a cheque for $2500 in the next couple of weeks? Somehow I won’t hold my breath, considering the answer will probably be a hearty laugh from you and your cronies.
I have to say that in my 39 years in Ottawa, I have never been as disappointed in the system as I am now. A bus driver makes as much if not more than the average Joe public, and they cry for more. Instead of having a penalty for striking, you are giving them a bonus for crying out loud. The system is flawed, and you are definately a piss poor mayor Mr O’Brien. I can think of so many alternate things the city could do to improve transit and city services, and I have to wonder why it is that you guys have to debate, and waste taxpayer dollars on issues which should have been resolved ages ago.