HSR workers could be on strike later this week

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Published December 17, 2019 at 4:48 pm

HSR bus Hamilton transit Hamilton Street Railway

The City of Hamilton and the union representing HSR workers head back to the bargaining table on Wednesday (Dec. 18) in a last-ditch effort to avoid a transit strike that could start Thursday.

The City of Hamilton and the union representing HSR workers head back to the bargaining table on Wednesday (Dec. 18) in a last-ditch effort to avoid a transit strike that could start Thursday.

Contract negotiations between the city and the Amalgamated Transit Unit (ATU), which represents 800 City of Hamilton employees, began back in February 2019. While wages and benefits have been a point of contention in the talks, bathroom breaks and access to facilities has also been a major sticking point.

For six days, that began on October 31, the parties have been accompanied by a provincially appointed conciliation officer requested to assist the parties in reaching a settlement.

The city tabled an offer in early November, but ATU members voted it down by more than 97 per cent.

They all reconvened in mid-November to see if a strike could be avoided.

On December 2, however, the Ontario Minister of Labour released what is commonly referred to as a ‘no-board’ notice.

The issuance of this notice starts the timelines for a legal strike or lockout that is permitted upon the 17th day from the date of its issue.

This means that the parties will be in a legal strike/lockout position at 12:01 am on December 19, 2019.

The City and the ATU go back to the bargaining table on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

The City of Hamilton says in a press release issued Tuesday (Dec. 17) that they remain hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached.

In the event of a labour disruption, there would be no HSR transit service on any route throughout the city.

In the release, the city says that HSR customers are encouraged to start considering alternative transportation options, such as:

  • Carpooling with neighbours or co-workers
  • Visit Smart Commute Hamilton for more information about Hamilton’s Carpool Zone program – a free carpool matching system
  • Walking or cycling, if weather permits
  • Working from home, if possible

Details about service impacts would be communicated extensively before a potential labour disruption occurred.

The Disabled and Aged Regional Transportation System (DARTS), the accessible transit service provider for the City, is not part of ATU, and therefore will not be directly affected by a labour disruption

All updates will be available here as they become available.

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