Guelph Transit service grinds to halt as city locks out workers

CTV Kitchener: Drivers locked out On the first day of the Guelph Transit lockout, each side is blaming the other for buses being off the road. Frank Lynn reports.

The City of Guelph’s decision to lock out its transit workers left residents fuming, and both sides in the contract dispute blaming the other for the impasse.

The more than 200 bus drivers and other workers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1189 have been without a contract since July 2013.

After the city vowed to lock out the drivers if no deal was reached by last week – and indeed, appeared set to do just that until just minutes before the deadline – the two sides were able to hammer out a tentative arrangement.

City councillors quickly approved the deal, but it remained contingent on the ratification of ATU members.

Despite the agreement being endorsed by the union executive, it was defeated by the members in what ATU Local 1189 president Andrew Cleary termed “overwhelming” numbers.

As a result, the city announced an immediate and indefinite lockout of the transit workers.

Monday, city CAO Ann Pappert told CTV News she was “extremely disappointed” in the workers’ rejection of the contract, which called for 6.8 per cent wage increase over four years.

“We’re at the max as to what we can do without impacting more on our taxpayers,” she said.

Residents impacted by the service disruption didn’t seem to care about the specifics of what either side wanted – only that it left them in the lurch.

“It’s unfortunate that the public suffers because they can’t … come to an agreement,” said Sandra House.

Ray Mitchell, who owns an antiques and collectibles store in the city’s downtown, said his business was suffering due to the lockout.

“I think it’s disgusting. It’s an attack on the poor,” he said.

I have no idea why it’s not an essential service. It should be right behind police, fire and ambulance.”

The city’s previous offer had called for a 6.4 per cent increase over four years.

According to Pappert, drivers with Waterloo Region’s Grand River Transit received a 4.5 increase over three years – less than either of Guelph’s most recent proposals.

But the union has repeatedly said money isn’t the only issue it’s concerned with, citing working conditions such as washroom and lunchroom facilities as another.

City officials say they weren’t aware of any issues with working conditions until after union members rejected their previous offer.

“We were pretty sure that we had covered their concerns, and now I’m hearing that it didn’t cover their concerns,” Pappert said.

“We need clarity. We need them to spell out for us what it is they’re looking for.”

With no buses to drive, union members instead took to picketing outside Guelph City Hall on Monday.

Some picketers carried signs calling for arbitration to settle the dispute, but Cleary said that wasn’t his preferred option.

“It’s a sad relationship if you need to arbitrate something,” he said.

Pappert said she’d like to see union members hold another vote on the city’s most recent offer, but doesn’t expect the city to budge in its position.

“The ball’s in ATU’s court,” she said.

Riders with bus passes for July will be able to get refunds as of Wednesday.