Hamilton’s public transit workers have rejected the City’s “final offer” and will begin strike action on Thursday morning.
“The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107 is hereby informing all Hamiltonians that their members have rejected the last offer from their employer, Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). As a result, there will be a legal strike of the HSR transit system effective November 9th from 12:01 am,” says ATU 107 President Eric Tuck.
94 percent of the union’s membership voted for strike action over two days of voting this weekend.
[Amalgamated Transit Union International VP Ken Wilson posted photos of the line-up Sunday morning on X (formerly Twitter)]
The union seeks wage increases that respond to cost-of-living inflation, working condition improvements, and firm contract language stating HSR workers will operate the planned B-Line LRT.
The City’s final wage offer is 3.75 percent for 2023, and 3 percent in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
This is the same amount the City’s largest union, CUPE 5167, accepted in their new contract in August.
Tuck says the offer is insufficient, noting the City’s management staff were given up to a 14 percent single-year wage increase.
“We refuse to be left behind while bureaucrats benefit with record raises and the ability to work from home 2-3 days a week. Our transit workers were on the frontlines during the pandemic, and we don’t have the luxury of working from home,” said Tuck.
HSR workers seek 7 percent in 2023, and 4 percent each year in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
“The frustration of workers comes from double-digit increases of up to 15% going to highly paid Non-Union staff while offering transit workers a 3.2% increase that does not address the shortfalls to transit operators, administrative and skilled trades maintenance staff,” Tuck says.
The union is seeking increased safety and access to clean washrooms.
“Our working conditions are far different than those working from an office setting or from home. We have no security or safety from assaults. We don’t work 9 to 5 with standard 8 hour shifts starting and finishing in the same location, and we don’t have ready access to restrooms along transit routes.”
The City began the countdown towards a strike in September when it applied to the Ministry of Labour for a no-board notice. The notice was granted, with the City legally able to lock out workers and the union in a legal strike position on October 25.
City Council met in closed session on Wednesday to discuss the pending HSR labour disruption.
This will be the first HSR strike since November 1998, when HSR workers were out on the picket lines for 12 weeks.
There are budgetary savings for the City of Hamilton during a strike. The City has not publicly disclosed this figure.
School Boards Prepare Alternative Transportation Plans
Hamilton’s school boards state they have “begun to prepare a plan to transport those students who have an HWDSB or HWCDSB issued HSR Semester Pass” and “will require four days to implement the alternative transportation for the affected students.”
Updates on school transportation will be provided by Hamilton Wentworth Student Transportation Services.
DARTS will Continue Operating
Hamilton’s paratransit DARTS service will continue to operate.
DARTS workers are represented by CUPE 5167.
DARTS users may experience challenges booking trips due to increased demand for rides with the service.
Union Message to HSR Riders
HSR operators are handing out pamphlets encouraging Hamiltonians to contact their councillors to tell them to “demand further talks and allocate the resources necessary to reach a fair deal and keep service going.”
The union is expected to hold a rally on Thursday.
Service Will Operate Until 2:30 a.m. on Thursday
HSR buses will operate until the end of Wednesday’s service, meaning the final buses at 1:20 a.m. will operate as scheduled on Thursday.
Production Details v. 1.1.0 Published: November 5, 2023 Last edited: November 5, 2023 Author: Joey Coleman Edit Record v. 1.0.0 original version v. 1.1.0 grammatical improvements and typos
Iam a psw and I do home care and iam losing 30 hrs in 4 days because of this stupid strike they say that the drivers were on the front line when covid hit well so was I working my ass off because no one wanted to work through Covid and they make 30.00 or more an hour so that’s more than I make but it’s not fair that if they get this raise they will be making 80,000 a yr when other people are only making 20,000-to 35,000 do you think that’s fair for going on strike sure I have to pay 118.00 a month for a bus pass I just don’t think they have to hold the city hostage
Don’t hold your city hostage HSR workers it isn’t right!
Striking isn’t the answer and it isn’t fair. Your customers depend on your service to get back and forth to make their living. A earning that probably doesn’t come close to your current one.
Why can’t they cut services, slow services, limit the number of hours or buses. Run only for rush hours.
There is a solution but striking isn’t fair when it effects the livelihood of so many.
Life is hard enough working a low paying job I have to bus to just to pay rent, bills, and groceries. It is impossible to cab it to and from work being that I only have enough for basic neccessities. This strike would put me out of work, and then homeless.
They want a raise to match inflation so they can maintain a comfortable lifestyle. I just want to survive!!! Everyone on minimum wage is struggling! I have no sympathy for these drivers. So selfish and horrible. They don’t care if people die … and plenty will.
It’s no surprise that politicians don’t care about the everyday people. But bus drivers don’t get it? Like they see it every day. How heartless!!!!
Will Burlington transit still be available in Hamilton? Or the GO bus transit too in Hamilton?
Hi Sophie.
Burlington Transit and GO Transit will operate with normal schedules.
HSR workers can picket at the Hunter Street GO Station, if they do, GO buses will stop on the street instead of in the terminal. Likely on Hunter, GO will announce any detours.
Give the hsr drivers what they want and end this strike before it starts.Good for them, what a slap in the face to give management 14% for doing —- all while drivers have to deal with the much heavier burden of being public facing
I am disabled and I have no idea how I am going to get to my doctor’s appointments and other things that I have to do. I am also not sure what I am going to do about this issue when I have to start paying for my scooter to ride in January. I don’t use Darts because it is too expensive and hard to book. But a cab is going to be my only option now and I don’t have enough money to eat a good meal much less a cab.
I want more money too.
Right?!