If GRT strikes Monday riders will need to make alternate plans

If GRT strikes Monday riders will need to make alternate plans

CBC News
March 18, 2017

Region and Union to negotiate face to face on Sunday, says region CAO.

Thousands of people who rely on public transit in the Region of Waterloo may have to make alternate plans to get to work Monday morning if a strike by Grand River Transit/Mobility PLUS operators, dispatchers, fleet mechanics and service attendant employees goes ahead.

638 workers who are represented by UNIFOR local 4304 voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action and have set the deadline to negotiate a deal for 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2017.

Mike Murray, the Chief Administrative Officer for the region told CBC both sides will meet face-to-face this Sunday for formal negotiations after holding informal discussions this week.

“There are monetary issues related to wages and benefits and non-monetary issues related to terms and conditions of the collective agreement,” said Murray.

If the strike occurs all conventional bus, Bus Plus and Mobility PLUS services used by 66,000 riders a day will be disrupted.

The Region is suggesting regular riders find alternative ways to get to their daily destinations including:

  • Carpooling.
  • Driving.
  • Walking.
  • Cycling.
  • Hailing a ride.
  • Working from home.

Regular updates will be posted to the GRT website and the Region of Waterloo website.

Source: If GRT strikes Monday riders will need to make alternate plans

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Waterloo Region gets $15M from Ottawa to improve bus system

Waterloo Region gets $15M from Ottawa to improve bus system

Waterloo Region Record
By Johanna Weidner
March 16, 2017

KITCHENER — Waterloo Region is getting $15.1 million in federal funding for improvements to the bus system, including new vehicles and equipment upgrades.

“That’s 18 brand new buses on the streets of our community,” said Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, at the announcement in Kitchener on Thursday.

The seven approved projects will ensure “safe, reliable and modern transit,” Chagger told the gathering in regional headquarters.

Along with buying new buses for the Grand River Transit fleet, money is earmarked for the installation of voice radio equipment and replacement of on-board cameras on transit vehicles, and improvements near stops including lighting and walkways to bolster safety and accessibility.

“We’ve already had significant support on the rapid transit side,” said Coun. Tom Galloway, chair of the regional planning and works committee. “Here we have significant support for conventional transit.”

This is the second part of a federal funding commitment to public transit in the region through the Canada-Ontario Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The first part, announced last August, focused primarily on the region’s new light rail system. In total, the investment is worth $35 million.

“The two work very much together,” Galloway said. “It is one fare, one system.”

Both rapid and conventional transit are essential in the region’s efforts to manage population growth and limit urban sprawl, he said.

“We decided transit was a big part of the solution,” Galloway said.

The new buses will be for iXpress routes that will connect with the light rail system. Trains are expected to start travelling the route from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park mall early next year, after some delays.

The federal funding is good news for taxpayers, Galloway said, since the region already had most of the projects in the capital budget forecast.

“Pretty well all these projects were on that list,” he said. “We’re very pleased.”

Mike Murray, chief administrative officer, said the region is building “a world-class transit system.”

He said the transit system is key for both residents to participate in the community, and for growth management.

“And that has to be a fully integrated system,” Murray said. “That’s really what we’re trying to build, so that is serves the whole community.”

Source: Waterloo Region gets $15M from Ottawa to improve bus system

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Transit users advised to plan ahead as potential strike looms

Transit users advised to plan ahead as potential strike looms

Waterloo Region Record
By Record Staff
March 16, 2017

WATERLOO REGION — Grand River Transit is advising its users to make other arrangements in advance of a potential Monday strike.

Although formal talks are scheduled to resume Sunday between the Region of Waterloo and the union that represents more than 600 Grand River Transit and MobilityPlus workers, the region is asking its users to plan ahead and find alternate means of transportation.

Unifor Local 4304 represents 644 drivers, service attendants and skilled workers at Grand River Transit who will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. Monday if a deal isn’t reached. Conventional bus, Bus Plus and MobilityPlus services would be disrupted.

“We have continued to have informal conversations, and will continue to do so, and will meet formally on the 19th,” regional chief administrative officer Mike Murray said in a statement.

Local president Rick Lonergan said in an email that the two sides haven’t talked formally since March 10.

While Murray said negotiations have been challenging, he said the region’s goal continues to be to negotiate a new collective agreement.

The union says contract negotiations began in December; the previous contract expired at the end of 2016. Last month, members voted 98 per cent in favour of a strike if a deal couldn’t be reached.

Information about transportation alternatives and labour updates are available on the Grand River Transit website at www.grt.ca or by calling the GRT information line at 519-585-7555.

Source: Transit users advised to plan ahead as potential strike looms

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Strike deadline approaching for region’s transit drivers

Strike deadline approaching for region’s transit drivers

Kitchener Post
By Samantha Beattie
March 13, 2017

Downtown Kitchener to Fairview Mall to Conestoga College Cambridge. It’s the bus route Alim Nathoo takes to work everyday, and the bus route he takes home. So when he heard Grand River Transit could go on strike March 20, he felt he had to do something.

“I depend on taking the bus for my job,” said Nathoo who works at Conestoga College’s Cambridge campus as a computerized note taker. “I also really love riding transit. I meet new people everyday, it’s good for the environment and I enjoy the company of the men and women in blue, the drivers.”

Nathoo started an online petition requesting Grand River Transit and Unifor Local 4304 do everything in their power to negotiate a collective agreement.

So far, only 26 people have signed, but it’s a start, said Nathoo.

“Other riders are in the same boat as me,” he said, adding if drivers do go on strike and there is no bus service, he’ll try to carpool, but will otherwise be stuck paying more expensive taxi fares.

People have commented on his petition, mirroring his concerns.

“I’m signing (this petition) because my livelihood depends on being able to … get to and from work,” wrote one supporter.

The union, representing 644 drivers, service attendants and skills trades workers, voted on Feb. 26 to go on strike if no collective agreement was reached by midnight March 20, the day after the next set of negotiations will be held.

The union and region have been negotiating a collective agreement since December.

Region CAO Mike Murray said he’s confident there’s still time to find a resolution.

“What we’re seeing in this round is very similar to previous rounds in terms of duration,” he said. “The pattern has been to negotiate down to the wire and this round of negotiations is no different.”

If they don’t, and GRT workers go on strike, transit service will stop.

The sticking points are monetary and nonmonetary, but neither Murray, nor local union president Rick Lonergan could talk specifics.

“We do have some serious contentious issues that need to be addressed,” said Lonergan, who has been part of about five rounds of negotiations and has worked as a bus driver for almost 30 years.

“We are very committed to getting a settlement and are working hard to get this done. That’s our mandate.”

Nathoo spends about two hours on the bus a day, watching the goings on. He’s heard riders swear at drivers, but he’s also seen drivers be rude to riders who get to the bus stop a few seconds late, or are slow to pay their fares.

“Some communication skills could be improved with the public and drivers,” Nathoo said.

Source: Strike deadline approaching for region’s transit drivers

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Talks continue aimed at preventing strike at GRT

Talks continue aimed at preventing strike at GRT

570 News
By Paul McPhee
March 9, 2017

Talks continue aimed at heading off a strike at Grand River Transit.

Over 640 transit operators, service attendants, and skilled trades workers will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 20th.

The region has issued a statement warning if there is a strike, conventional bus, Bus Plus and MobilityPLUS services will be disrupted.

It says while talks are ongoing, some outstanding issues still need to be resolved.

It does not identify those issues.

Source: Talks continue aimed at preventing strike at GRT

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Grand River Transit warns of potential labour disruption

Grand River Transit warns of potential labour disruption

CTV Kitchener
March 8, 2017

As contract talks continue with Grand River Transit employees, a strike or lockout could be less than two weeks away.

According to the Region of Waterloo, a labour disruption is legally possible at 12:01 a.m. on March 20, or anytime after that.

Should that happen, regular Grand River transit routes would be affected along with Bus Plus and Mobility Plus services.

Neither the region nor Unifor Local 4304, which represents the bus drivers and other employees, has suggested publicly that a strike or lockout is likely to happen.

Both sides continue to negotiate.

The last contract between the two sides was reached in 2014, without a labour disruption.

Source: Grand River Transit warns of potential labour disruption

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