News

Region of Waterloo and transit union ratify labour deal

Wage increases of 1.5 per cent in 2017, 1.75 per cent in 2018, and 2.00 per cent in 2019

CBC News
April 13, 2017

The Region of Waterloo has ratified a labour agreement with the union representing 644 Grand River Transit workers, ensuring bus service on regional and city streets will continue without interruption.

The 36-month agreement with Unifor Local 4304 is retroactive, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and ending Dec. 31, 2019.

In it, the region agreed to wage increases for union members: 1.5 per cent on Jan. 1, 2017; 1.75 per cent on Jan. 1, 2018; and 2 per cent on Jan. 1, 2019.

The agreement follows an intense period of negotiations earlier this year, which came to a head in early April after the union rejected a tentative agreement with the region.

There were threats of a strike on Monday, April 3, but that job action was avoided when the region and the union reached a second tentative agreement.

Workplace health and safety, along with other workplace issues, were the main points of discussion in the negotiations, according to both regional officials and union representatives.

Source: Region of Waterloo and transit union ratify labour deal