Durham Region Transit workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 98% supporting a mandate that could see transit services shut down as early as June 7.
The 616 transit workers represented by Unifor Local 222 voted May 21 to authorize strike action if they cannot reach a contract agreement with Durham Region by midnight June 6. Workers include bus operators, maintenance staff, dispatchers and specialized service employees.
The union will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. on June 7 if negotiations fail to produce a new collective agreement.
Wage gap drives labour dispute
A key issue in the dispute is the wage gap between Durham transit workers and employees in similar municipalities. Workers in Mississauga and Brampton earn up to $5 more per hour than their Durham counterparts for the same work, according to the union.
“It’s time to close the wage gap,” said Unifor Local 222 President Jeff Gray. “Our members deserve equal pay for equal work. Their skills and dedication to the job must be recognized in the next contract.”
The union also wants to address workplace harassment and improve work-life balance through better scheduling.
Transit funding concerns
Last April, Durham Regional Council committed to fully funding the 127% growth needed for the transit system by 2032, following Unifor’s “Fund Durham Regional Transit” campaign. However, the union says there has been little progress since then.
“The region has a responsibility to invest in public transit and in the workers who uphold it, especially as the community continues to grow,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Negotiations between Local 222 and Durham Region Transit began March 31.
About the union
Unifor represents 21,000 members across the road transportation sector, including 7,600 transit operators and skilled trades staff working in urban transit. The union is Canada’s largest private sector union, representing 320,000 workers nationwide.
