24 Jul
Employment, Traffic:
Winnipeg Transit Ready to Strike
Hitchhiker Originally uploaded by debcll
Do you take the bus to work/school every morning? Well it looks like you’ll have to find a new form of transportation as a Winnipeg Transit Strike is drawing near.
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) have voted to reject the city’s latest contract offer 640 - 349. As of Friday, workers have been told to reject voluntary overtime hours.
Approximately 130,000 people take the bus from during the work week (Monday - Friday). Though that number maybe be down with kids being out of school, it still leaves a good amount stranded for transportation.
Perhaps this move will encourage more people to ride their bikes. But with Winnipeg weather being up and down - and Taxi rates being through the roof, this will definitely be a problem for many Winnipeg commuters.
Handi-Transit service is expected to continue in event of a strike. There is no news on when this strike will happen, but transit workers can legally walk off the job at anytime.
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Posted by Trevor on July 24, 2008 at 9:16 am
Taxi rates through the roof? I think Winnipeg is one of the most affordable places to “grab a cab”. In Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, etc, the taxi fares go up by quarters instead of dimes. I live in Wolseley and can cab it almost anywhere for less than $15.
As for bus drivers going on strike…I can’t say I blame them although I’ve never been a fan of striking (if you don’t like your job, get a new one) or unions (they make you pay out the nose and protect the lazy worker).
Just my 2 cents.
Posted by Stacey on July 24, 2008 at 9:22 am
Yay! Biking! And then they will focus on making biking safer! Yay!
Posted by Trevor on July 25, 2008 at 6:49 pm
And the strike begins…
20 buses not on the streets for the morning rush hour. How did it feel to walk to work you car-less folk?
Posted by johni on July 31, 2008 at 7:09 pm
on strike? jeez their sitting on their ass making money driving, and to top that off they can bus it to work free cause they dont have to pay for a car or gas