An Insight Into The Better Way?????

John Turley-Ewart: Toronto's TTC strike and the better way for the future

Posted: April 27, 2008, 8:02 PM by John Turley-Ewart
Filed under: John Turley-Ewart

On Friday, 65% of Toronto’s public transit workers voted down a three year contract with Toronto and union workers walked off the job having thumbed their noses at a generous deal that city managers struck with the transit union a week ago. Over the weekend, however, Ontario’s government passed a law forcing the workers back to their jobs. It’s a short-term fix that will pacify Toronto’s commuters in the short run, but do little to fix a broken system.
The deal the workers turned down offered annual pay increases of 3% — the rate of inflation is running at 2% — and a guarantee that Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) drivers would be paid at least as much as their counterparts in neighbouring municipalities. City councilors were correct to slam this aspect of the offer as irresponsible: Since no one knows what sweetheart deals neighbouring municipalities will give their own workers, this guarantee essentially amounts to an unknown and unfunded liability for Toronto taxpayers.
Following the Friday evening vote, TTC workers went on strike, breaking their own union’s promise to give commuters 48 hours notice. The resulting mayhem saw thousands of Toronto residents left with no option but to walk for hours to get home as taxi companies were overwhelmed by demand. Residents are understandably angry — especially since TTC operators currently take home a very handsome wage of $26.58 an hour, plus benefits. They also enjoy the opportunity to increase their take-home through over-time — which is abundantly available because the current contract makes it difficult to hire part time staff.

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