Ottawa transit union sets Dec. 10 as strike deadline
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 | 4:04 PM ET
CBC News
Ottawa transit workers will walk off the job on Dec. 10 if they voted in favour of a strike Wednesday.
Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union cast their ballots for or against a strike Wednesday morning, but even before the ballots were counted, local president Andre Cornellier said he was sure the union, which represents 2,000 drivers, dispatchers and maintenance staff, would have a strong strike mandate.
"Dec. 10 is the day at 12:01 that we will pull service," he said. "I know my membership."
Cornellier said two of the main unresolved issues include contracting out and sick leave. In the latter case, Cornellier said his members just want the same 12 days of sick leave other OC Transpo and city employees have — twice as much as drivers currently have.
"Actually, we should get more because of the environment that we work in — people coming on the buses with all kinds of germs."
A special meeting of Ottawa city council has been called for Thursday to discuss bargaining matters related to OC Transpo. Most of the meeting is expected to take place behind closed doors, said a City of Ottawa news release.
Transit committee chair Alex Cullen, councillor for Bay Ward, would reveal little about the negotiations but said the strike vote was just part of the collective bargaining process.
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