(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

WHEELS ON THE BUS MAY STOP GOING 'ROUND

Strike possibly on the horizon for Red Deer transit workers

Sep 6, 2023 | 11:08 AM

A preliminary vote indicates Red Deer transit workers are overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

In a press release issued Tuesday, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 569-Edmonton, which represents about 130 workers in Red Deer, including drivers/operators, service lane workers and maintenance people, says the City of Red Deer is refusing, “to negotiate beyond its unilaterally set mandate.”

The ATU says workers have been pushed to the brink in their fight for fair wages, fair scheduling, improved health measures and other issues. Their contract expired Dec. 31, 2022, which is when negotiations restarted.

“It’s as if we can only negotiate by their rules and within their artificially set limits,” says Steve Bradshaw, Local 569 president & business agent. They’ve built a brick wall and are huddled up behind it.”

Outstanding issues include but are not limited to wages, forcing people into part-time positions, and working employees six days a week, the union says.

University Magazine

RDP ranked 17th among top culinary schools in Canada

1h ago

JANUARY 21 ONLY

Ponoka starting Christmas tree pick up in January

17h ago

Christmas and new years

Wednesday cart collection rescheduled due to statutory holidays

18h ago

“We were there on the frontline throughout the pandemic and accepted zeros two years in a row while the inflation rate soared to six and eight percent,” Bradshaw continues. “Now that the City is in a better financial position, they expect us to take sub-inflation increases.”

(rdnewsNOW file photo)

About 60 per cent of membership took part in the first vote on Aug. 30, with 99 per cent of those voting doing so in favour of potential job action.

A mediator filed their report on Sept. 1, initiating a provincially-mandated 14-day ‘cooling off’ period which expires Friday, Sept. 15. Then, the union would need to hold a second vote to officially issue a 72-hour strike notice.

Bradshaw says that in the meantime, they’re inviting the City back to the table in order to avoid that scenario.

“Our union uses a full strike only as a last resort since we don’t want to abandon our riders who depend on us. If the City of Red Deer continues to refuse to come to the table to address our concerns and treat our members like the heroes they are, we will take action,” adds ATU International President John Costa. “Rest assured, our Local 569 members at Red Deer Transit have the full support of our members across Canada and the U.S.”

The City of Red Deer responded Wednesday morning, saying that there have been a total of eight days of negotiating since the deal expired.

“The City received notice on Friday, September 1, 2023, of ATU’s decision to cease mediation, triggering a provincially-mandated 14-day ‘cooling off’ period. Until this ‘cooling off’ period is complete, a formal strike vote cannot take place,” the City says.

“The City is committed to continuing efforts to reach an agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569. Right now, there is no impact to transit services within the city of Red Deer, and we do not expect to see any service disruptions as we continue to negotiate with the ATU.”

Bradshaw further clarifies that should strike action become necessary, it would affect bus routes used for getting kids to school.

The BOLT on-demand transit route to Blackfalds would not be impacted as it is run by Prairie Bus Lines.

—

Download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.