ATU was recommending this deal to its GO Transit local membership but it has been rejected for the second time at 69% of the vote.The media are saying that the issue is money but all the drivers I have talked to say the annual increments are okay -- this is about respect. GO just came into a huge chunk of cash, GO executives recently received major pay raises but this contract for drivers and staff is trying to introduce two-tier retirement benefits for anyone hired after 2001 (a large percentage of the bargaining unit) and also clawing back a sick day and reducing some benefits coverage.
The drivers are talking about almost complete lack of communication from their union, ever since the contract expired last June. Now they're afraid of actually getting locked out over Christmas.
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/287219
[ 20 December 2007: Message edited by: triciamarie ]