Torontonians in shock after transit workers strike

A street car with it's 'Not in Service" sign on is shown in downtown Toronto on Friday April 25, 2008. (Doug Ives / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Toronto Transit Commission workers voted down a tentative contract agreement late Friday night and shortly thereafter walked off the job in a surprise strike.

The TTC's largest union, which represents nearly 9,000 workers, rejected the tentative agreement with management that was reached last week -- with 65 per cent of members voting it down.

Bob Kinnear, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said the suddenness of the walkout was to protect workers.

"We have assessed the situation and decided that we will not expose our members to the dangers of assaults from angry and irrational members of the public," Kinnear said in a press release.

"The reports from our members of increases in threats and abuse from passengers last weekend, after we gave our original 48-hours' notice, has left us no choice but to withdraw our services immediately. We have a legal responsibility to protect the safety of our members and so does the TTC."

Toronto Mayor David Miller, in a late-night press conference, called the strike action "unacceptable" and "unnecessary."

Miller said the union had promised 48 hours notice before any strike action but that Kinnear wouldn't honour the commitment when urged Friday.

"This is unacceptable and it's also irresponsible," said Miller.

Miller said he has spoken to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and requested the provincial government's assistance in introducing back-to-work legislation.

In a brief statement, McGuinty said the province will be proceeding with back-to-work legislation at the first available opportunity."

The union said it will conduct a media conference following its executive board meeting on Saturday morning.

The union was recommending its members accept the three-year deal forged last Sunday. The deal, ratified later in the week, included annual three per cent wage increases.

A sticking point during the talks was a demand that workers who are injured on the job receive full pay if they are unable to work.

TTC riders react

The strike outraged some riders who were made aware of the situation late Friday.

"On the weekend I take it, I don't have a car so it's a big inconvenience," one TTC user told CTV Toronto. "The fact that they announced it Friday at 10:30 p.m. -- that's terrible."

Another rider said the TTC needs to be deemed an essential service.

"More people have interaction with the TTC on a daily basis than they do with hospitals or the police force and if that does not make it an essential service then I don't know what does," said the man.

A streetcar driver said union members "didn't want this for the public."

"We want them to know that it's not the money," he said. "It's not that at all."

In a press release early Saturday, the TTC outlined the highlights of the negotiated settlement that was rejected Friday. "Nowhere in the agreement did the TTC request any concessions from the union," said the press release.

Click here for your TTC Strike Survival Guide