Union Strike Brings Waterloo Region Bus Services to a Standstill

As of Monday morning, bus services in the Waterloo region came to a halt due to the strike action initiated by members of Unifor 4304. The union represents Grand River Transit and Mobility Plus drivers, mechanics, and service attendants. The strike was set in motion at 12:01 a.m Monday, and the bus services were suspended at 3:00 a.m. However, the ION LRT service remains operational as it is maintained and operated by Keolis, and hence unaffected by the strike.

The cause of the strike was the rejection of a tentative agreement by the union’s 740 members, who were voting on the proposal during three meetings held on Sunday. While the Region of Waterloo had announced the tentative agreement with the union on Sunday afternoon, Unifor 4304 members expressed their dissatisfaction with the employer’s offer. The union cited the employer’s failure to meet their expectations regarding wages and benefits that match the current economic growth.

Lana Payne, the Unifor national president, emphasized the critical role played by Local 4304 members in providing essential services to the region. She stated that they expect wages and benefits that keep pace with the economic growth. Despite the union’s position, the region noted that their offer was competitive for GRT staff and affordable for residents. However, they were not able to reach an agreement with Unifor Local 4304, prompting the union to initiate strike action.

As of now, there are no scheduled bargaining meetings between the union and the region. However, the region remains open to discussions with the union, and they are committed to reaching an agreement that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. The public transit users in the region will have to make alternative arrangements until the situation is resolved.