tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post1242806295905078995..comments2024-03-09T05:03:54.979-05:00Comments on Public Transit in Ottawa: Council meets, counters union proposalPeter Raaymakershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10883553886241429786noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-20227386404875386742009-01-17T18:58:00.000-05:002009-01-17T18:58:00.000-05:00I think we're seeing the first opening to the ATU ...I think we're seeing the first opening to the ATU feeling the pressure of it's members. The residents of Ottawa we're rightly inconvenienced and angry, but have adapted thus their leverage is weakening. The council is holding firm forcing the ATU's hand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-67513275133077981492009-01-17T13:43:00.000-05:002009-01-17T13:43:00.000-05:00It is and will remain, a stalemate ! !Not quite. T...<I>It is and will remain, a stalemate ! !</I><BR/><BR/>Not quite. The union is quickly losing leverage, both in its own membership who have now lost ~$5K in addition to the 2500 the city pulled back, and with its rideship, who have either gone out of business in December, or lost their jobs, or found other arrangements, and have faced the busiest season and likely the worst weather the city will face this year already.<BR/><BR/>Come February (meaning buses back by March), the union will have no leverage until next October. By the end of February, the members will be out 10K, Cornellier will be gone, and the city will get a deal much sweeter than the one the union rejected in December.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-40321815848316964712009-01-17T12:35:00.000-05:002009-01-17T12:35:00.000-05:00I'm glad that they finally agreed to an arbitrator...I'm glad that they finally agreed to an arbitrator. A couple weeks too late, though.<BR/><BR/>3 months to get buses back at full speed? I know the mechanics are on strike, but hire some people to start checking them now!Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10467433390378879762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-88730420450742701882009-01-17T12:30:00.000-05:002009-01-17T12:30:00.000-05:00So, after the ATU's announcement, a hastily called...So, after the ATU's announcement, a hastily called council meeting, that produced -3- conditions, you have to sit back and realize that Ottawa is NO CLOSER to having the buses back on the road any time soon. It is and will remain, a stalemate ! ! <BR/>This city is a J O K E ! !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com