Why a blackout?
Some are expressing concerns about the news blackout regarding any negotiations between the City and ATU. First off, it is the goal of the City of Ottawa to reach a negotiated settlement with ATU 279 as quickly and as effectively as possible.
As announced yesterday (Please click here to read my statement), both sides are carrying on informal discussions with the mediator present to bring an end to the strike.
It is clearly important to have these conversations to determine the best way to end this as quickly as we can. These discussions need to be focused, confidential and certainly not negotiated in the media. It is the opinion of both parties that negotiating in the media does little to further our progress in ending the strike.
I agree with the position taken by our negotiators. But I also feel it is very important to keep the citizens of Ottawa, who are suffering as a result of this strike, informed on any significant progress and we commit to doing so.
The good news is that we are talking. The bad news is that this strike continues to disrupt our lives. Your Councillors and I see the effects of this strike daily and we understand the hardships being suffered by many in our City. I can assure you that City staff and Council are working hard to mitigate the effects of this strike.
For example, yesterday City Council increased the mitigation budget by $500,000 to make relief available through our community resource centres and other agencies. More relief will be made available as and when needed, but I ask if you or anyone you know is experiencing financial or social hardship as a result of this strike to call 3-1-1 to see if you qualify for strike assistance.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Thank you for the update.
Over the last 40+ days I have voiced my support for the position the city has taken. Furthermore I help coworkers, neighbors and hitchhikers daily. An extra 20000 km’s so far. I ask for no remuneration whatsoever. No gas money and no help paying for parking.
I do this for one reason and one reason only: to ensure that people are inconvenienced as little as possible so that they will continue to support the city’s position of lowering / maintaining my current tax rate.
Should the strike be settled for one cent more then the city’s last offer, my time will have been wasted. I will feel taken advantage of. Should this happen I will devote heart and soul to ensuring that I am represented by people who listen to the majority of their constituents.
Stay the course and kudos for a job, so far, well done.
January 25th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Mr. O’Brien. Do you want to end the strike? Here’s a long term solution - give the Union what they want today and the next day, privaitize the Ottawa Tansit System. Everyone wins - with the possible exception of the Union
January 28th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Please just do your job and ensure the availability of a public transit system (that we have all invested in through our taxes):
As an Ottawa Citizen who is forced to walk over 5 km a day often in sub-zero temperatures, I’ve had some time to think about the transit issues.
My first observation is that the hostility level of my fellow citizens is rapidly increasing on a daily basis.
I can’t help but notice all of the help wanted signs in merchants’ windows. I don’t know if you are aware Mr. O’Brien, but people are losing their jobs over this. So while many in a higher earning tax bracket have dealt with this situation by purchasing vehicles (which I’m sure will help stimulate the economy, making up for all of the lost business throughout the city), those of us who have no choice but to walk attempt to go about our day to day business inhaling an increasing volume of toxic exhaust fumes.
As you are well aware, disabled individuals and the elderly face extreme hardship at this time. While Para Transpo is still operating it does not service the needs of all those who could benefit from the reinstatement of full transit service.
As a full-time pedestrian, through no choice of my own, I have observed the many women and children have been forced to take to the streets, in darkness, in order to get things as basic to survival as food and amenities. Don’t forget, these are students, single mothers and their young children, marginalized and low-income families, who face the burden of this struggle.
In short you have contributed to the impoverishment of the quality of life in this city. As an elected city official, I wonder what the fallout will be for you next election year. We already know what it has been for the rest of us. So enjoy your drive to work tomorrow and perhaps you can use the time to consider the pedestrians you pass by, and consider whether they would have been there had they any other way to get to their destinations.