Orleans Weekly Journal
Published: Friday, December 19, 2008

Shame on the union for this strike

So the first day of winter finally arrives this weekend. Therefore, this past Wednesday morning's mess was a late autumn sprinkling of flurries, I guess. And what a morning it was.

I was longing for a quick trip to the Park ‘n Ride and a crowded, sweaty and bumpy 95X ride into the downtown core if you can believe it. You know it's bad when….

But alas, most of our transit friends (bus drivers, mechanics, etc.) are still out on strike as Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 279 continues its industrial relations tantrum by holding a good chunk of the city's economic activity hostage. Yet in fine Canadian spirit we persevere and rise above the imbecilic inconvenience of their unjustified work stoppage.

Never have I seen so many people walking along Innes, pushing strollers along Orléans Boulevard or trudging along Des Epinettes at 7 a.m. Local Tim Horton’s lots have become impromptu gathering points for carpools. And a surreal self-scheduling serenity has befallen my street (and likely yours as well) with some neighbours now out the door by 6 a.m. and on the roads while others do the late-shift commute after getting the kids to school or taking that first 8 a.m. conference call at home.

As for the actual issues that have caused this strike, the monetary offer was more than fair. Seven per cent over three years, a $2,000 signing bonus, better sick leave and other monetary and non-monetary concessions, let’s be frank, Christmas came early for ATU 279 members and Santa “city taxpayers” Claus was downright effusive in his generosity.

It's time for a reality check. Over 72,000 jobs lost in Canada in the last month alone. PSAC, this region's major white-collar union, gladly settling for 6.8 per cent over four years. And the overwhelming majority of folks simply content to have a job to go to day in and day out as the credit crunch-inspired economic tsunami continues to roll across the globe with no shores immune from its devastation.

Turning to the so-called scheduling or block booking issue, which we’ve all read or heard about, the city is bang on in its stance. This is about management's right - not an option - but its right to ensure driver safety, appropriate rest between shifts and a fair workload for all drivers, not just the privileged few in the secure seniority strata of the ATU old boys’ club.

And let’s not forget that in successive reports from the city's auditor general, the message has been abundantly clear: City, get a grip on your labour relations practices, let your managers manage and, basically, assert your management rights.

This labour dispute is about principle and the future direction of our city. And we must always remember, the ATU was not locked out, it was never even an option; they chose not to work and serve the public, they chose to strike. Shame on them.

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Comments can be sent to Walter Robinson at orleansouttakes@transcontinental.ca.