Transit Strike is Over

Stephanie Kinsella with Steve Winogron
Thursday, January 29, 2009

As CFRA News was first to report, the OC Transpo strike is over.

Three reliable sources inside city hall and another union insider tell CFRA news that negotiators representing the striking drivers, mechanics and dispatchers have agreed to end the strike and to send all matters to binding arbitration -- including scheduling.

The union did not want the scheduling issue sent to binding arbitration, but pressed for the financial deal to go that route.

The city did not want the monetary matters resolved through arbitration unless the contentious scheduling issue was included.

Sources indicate the city will continue to press the federal government to ensure that federal safety regulations apply to drivers -- including an eight hour turnaround time between shifts.

Councillor Rick Chiarelli predicts it will be about a week before buses are ready to roll. Transpo management has already said it will take up to 10 weeks before service is near-normal, because many buses have to be safety re-certified and others will need maintenance to be road-safe.

Breaking News details on 580 CFRA as they become available.