Regional News
October 10, 2008 10:45 AM
Could be back on road Saturday
David Fleischer, Staff Writer
There is a glimmer of hope that a two-week transit strike could end, with Viva drivers back on the job as early as tomorrow [Saturday].
On Thursday night, representatives for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 informed Veolia management that this morning, at 10 a.m., their members would again vote on a deal they rejected Sept. 24.
At that vote, 61 per cent of members rejected a deal which received unanimous approval from the union executive committee.
The 164 drivers have asked for fairer sick day policies, more regular shift assignments and a wage increase.
The deal would give them paid sick leave for the first time and raise their wages from $20.75 an hour to $21.37.
According to a statement from Veolia, the re-vote came at the behest of a provincial mediator who was unable to broker a compromise at a meeting last week.
Veolia is in the third year of a five-year contract with York Region and have said they have little wiggle room to meet the demands of drivers.
Votes will be tallied after 4 p.m. today.
If the contract is ratified, the blue busses could be back on their routes as soon as tomorrow.