News

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