Our Local History
For over 50 years our union has had a proud history rooted in the fight for fairness, respect, and dignity on the job for passenger transportation workers; here is our story, so far.
Local 4304’s Proud Beginnings
Unifor Local 4304 traces its roots back to its original charter as Local 304 of the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers (CBRT & GW), a national union representing transportation and communication workers across Canada.
Local 304 was established to represent the employees of the Kitchener Public Utilities Commissions’ Street Railway Department, providing them with a united voice in negotiations and workplace issues. Through its CBRT & GW beginnings, the Local built a foundation of solidarity and advocacy that continues to guide its work today.
During the same period, workers for the Galt Public Utilities Commissions’ Transportation Department were represented by ATU Local 107.
Photo Credit: Paul A. Bateson, Used With Permission
January 1, 1973
A New Regional Era
In 1973, the Province of Ontario undertook a major reorganization of municipal government in the area by creating the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, replacing the old County of Waterloo system.
This restructuring brought significant changes to local communities, including the amalgamation of the former towns and villages of Galt, Preston, Hespeler, and Blair into the newly established City of Cambridge.
Alongside these municipal reforms, responsibility for public transit shifted from local public utilities commissions to the municipalities themselves, resulting in the formation of Kitchener Transit (represented by CBRT & GW Local 304) and Cambridge Transit (represented by ATU Local 107).
September 8, 1975
Kitchener Transit Strike
On September 8, 1975, members of CBRT & GW Local 304 employed at Kitchener Transit walked off the job, launching what would become a 13-week strike. Our Local 304 members during this strike are featured prominently on the cover of ‘All For The Cause: An Illustrated History of the CBRT & GW’ that was published during the 80th anniversary of the CBRT & GW in 1988
At the heart of the dispute was the reality that bus drivers faced irregular and demanding work schedules, which differed significantly from those of other municipal employees. The union pressed for additional wages and benefits to fairly compensate for the extra workload and unpredictable hours, but the City rejected these demands.
Over the course of the strike, workers stood firm, turning down multiple offers from the employer that failed to address their concerns. After nearly three months on the picket line, the strike concluded with an agreement that marked an important step forward in recognizing the unique challenges faced by transit workers.
June 27, 1977
Cambridge Transit Strike
On June 27, 1977, transit workers at Cambridge Transit, represented by ATU Local 107, went on strike in the midst of a period of record-high inflation across Canada.
The key issue was the union’s demand for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) clause in their contract to help protect wages from being eroded by rising prices. The employer resisted, arguing that such a clause would not be approved by the federal government’s Anti-Inflation Board (AIB), which was responsible for regulating wage and price increases at the time.
Over the course of the two-month strike, tentative agreements were reached and even accepted by the union membership, only to be rejected by the City. Ultimately, a settlement was reached that provided a wage increase within AIB guidelines, along with a commitment from the employer to advocate for further increases beyond those restrictions.
This hard-fought strike highlighted the struggles of workers to maintain fair wages during one of the most inflationary periods in Canadian history.
October 16, 1978
Kitchener Transit Strike
On October 16, 1978, CBRT & GW Local 304 members at Kitchener Transit once again went on strike, this time over a wide range of grievances with the City. Beyond an arbitrary cap on wage increases, workers raised serious concerns about poor working conditions and the lack of respect shown to transit employees.
One telling incident saw a driver reprimanded by a supervisor for washing their hands in the washroom rather than immediately returning to their bus after using the facilities.
The employer also continued its practice of comparing bus driver wages to other municipal employees instead of to drivers in similar transit systems across Ontario. When the union demanded this practice change, the City responded dismissively, claiming drivers should “prove their worth at the bargaining table.”
The strike lasted about a week before a settlement was reached, underscoring ongoing tensions between the workers’ demands for fair treatment and the City’s hardline approach.
January 1, 1987
Cambridge Gains Its Own Charter & Voice
In a significant development for transit workers in Cambridge, employees of Cambridge Transit were granted their own union charter, splitting from ATU Local 107 to form ATU Local 1608.
This change allowed Cambridge workers to have a dedicated local focused solely on their unique workplace issues and priorities. Meanwhile, ATU Local 107 continued its longstanding representation of Hamilton Street Railway workers, a role it maintains to this day.
The creation of Local 1608 marked an important step in giving Cambridge transit employees a stronger, more focused voice in their labour relations.
Photo Credit: Paul A. Bateson, Used With Permission
November 1, 1988
Kitchener Transit Strike
On November 1, 1988, CBRT & GW Local 304 members at Kitchener Transit returned to the picket line to press for improvements in working conditions and fair compensation.
The union’s demands included a 20-minute paid meal break, a night-shift wage premium, and overtime pay for spareboard drivers after 11 hours on split shifts—reducing the threshold from 12 hours to align with the overtime policy for regular drivers.
The City initially resisted, citing the high cost of meeting these demands. After five days on strike, however, the employer ultimately agreed to the union’s proposals, marking a successful outcome for the workers and reinforcing Local 304’s commitment to achieving equitable treatment for all transit staff.
June 1, 1994
CBRT & GW Merges with the CAW
On June 1, 1994, the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport, and General Workers (CBRT & GW), one of Canada’s oldest and most active transportation unions, merged with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW).
As a result of this merger, CBRT & GW Local 304 became CAW Local 4304, joining a larger national union while continuing to represent Kitchener Transit workers. The merger strengthened the local’s resources and bargaining power, while preserving its long-standing tradition of advocacy and solidarity within the transportation sector.
January 1, 2000
Formation of Grand River Transit
On January 1, 2000, the Region of Waterloo took control of Kitchener Transit and Cambridge Transit from the individual cities and merged them, along with Project Lift Ltd., to create Grand River Transit, a unified, region-wide public transportation system.
As part of this reorganization, members of ATU Local 1608, who had previously represented Cambridge Transit employees, joined the ranks of CAW Local 4304.
This merger expanded the local’s membership and strengthened its representation across the entire regional transit network, ensuring a unified voice for all workers under Grand River Transit.
Photo Credit: Paul A. Bateson, Used With Permission
August 31, 2013
Birth of Unifor
On Labour Day weekend, August 31, 2013, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union (CEP) merged to form Unifor, creating Canada’s largest private-sector union.
This historic merger brought together over 300,000 members from both private and public sector workplaces, combining the strength and resources of two of the country’s most influential unions. For Local 4304, the transition to Unifor marked a new chapter, connecting its members to a broader national network while continuing its long-standing advocacy for transit workers in the Waterloo Region.
March 12, 2015
Great Canadian Coaches Joins Unifor
On March 12, 2015, following a successful union drive and certification vote, coach bus drivers at Great Canadian Coaches officially joined Unifor, becoming members of Local 4304 as a new bargaining unit.
This victory expanded the local’s membership and strengthened its representation within the regional transportation sector, giving these workers a collective voice and access to the protections and benefits of union membership.
Photo Credit: Paul A. Bateson, Used With Permission
January 21, 2020
Grand River Transit Strike
On January 21, 2020, Unifor Local 4304 members at Grand River Transit walked off the job in a strike that highlighted urgent workplace safety and fairness issues.
Key concerns included heavy-handed discipline, pay inequity for part-time drivers, and the absence of physical barriers protecting operators in an increasingly violent industry where assaults by passengers were all too common. The employer initially proposed installing barriers over 12–15 years, leaving drivers exposed in the meantime, despite daily interactions with passengers facing mental health and substance abuse challenges.
After 10 days on the picket line, the strike concluded with a landmark agreement: barriers would be installed on all buses within three years, disciplinary language was revised, and part-time driver wages were brought to parity under the new three-year contract, marking a significant victory for worker safety and equity.
May 1, 2023
Grand River Transit Strike
On May 1, 2023, Unifor Local 4304 members at Grand River Transit returned to the picket line to demand improvements in working conditions that had been strained following the introduction of the Region’s new ION LRT system.
Key issues included reliable access to washroom facilities and more manageable, predictable work schedules, as the transit service reorganization had significantly altered daily operations for drivers.
After nine days of striking, the members secured a resolution, demonstrating their continued commitment to workplace fairness and the ongoing effort to ensure safe, dignified conditions for all Grand River Transit employees.
The Future
The Road Ahead
Unifor Local 4304 remains committed to building a stronger, more unified voice for passenger transportation workers across Ontario.
With decades of experience advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable treatment, the Local is well-positioned to support new organizing initiatives and the creation of additional bargaining units in public transit, coach bus, and school bus workplaces throughout the province.
By expanding its reach and continuing to champion the rights of all workers in the sector, Local 4304 is poised to shape the future of transportation labour, ensuring that every employee has a collective voice and the protections they deserve.