London transit workers have voted to accept a new contract with the commission. The vote was taken in two locations Wednesday, and the members have voted 92 per cent in favour of the deal.
The union representing London transit workers was recommending members accept a new three-year contract offer as ratification votes were held.
Few will forget the 2009 labour dispute that led to a four week strike by drivers, agents and maintenance staff - keeping buses off the roads and forcing riders to find alternate transportation.
But nearly four years later all that animosity seems to be a thing of the past. Relations have improved, and the transit union is recommending its members take the deal.
After eight months of negotiations, including four with a conciliator, ATU Local 741 President Brian Tansey says “I think we're ready to just get on with the work.”
The union executive had recommended members accept a contract offer for the three-year period from April 2013 to April 2016.
The terms of the deal have been kept private, but were being released to the unions 482 active members in two separate ratification votes on Wednesday.
“The mood this morning was positive. We did have some questions at the end, as always with any kind of change, ‘How does that affect us?’ I didn't feel a lot of tension. [Of] course you remember back in 2009 there was a lot of tension then,” Tansey adds.
Ticket clerk Cam Knill was voting yes, saying “I really like what I see. I'm really impressed with it. I wasn't expecting it to be this good actually.
LTC head Larry Ducharme declined to comment on camera, instead issuing a statement to CTV News saying “It would be inappropriate for us to comment while ratification votes are taking place. We have to respect the process and let it take its place before we comment.”
The London Transit Commission is set to vote Thursday to ratify the contract.
