Transit Work Stoppage Possible on Monday

THUNDER BAY – NEWS – The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 966 has given formal notice to strike effective October 20th at 12:01AM. This is the Lift+Specialized Transit Operators.. It is however likely that the conventional Transit Operators will honour the picket line.

“Notice to the public is being given as a precaution to allow affected residents time to put plans in place,” said Michael Smith, General Manager – Community Services, whose department includes Thunder Bay Transit. “The City is committed to working through the weekend in the hopes of reaching a settlement and to avoid a disruption of this important public service”.

Talks are ongoing and expected to continue through the weekend between the City of Thunder Bay and Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 966 (ATU).

“While a strike is not in anyone’s best interests, and we hope it can be avoided, in the event there is a work stoppage, we won’t attempt to run buses without our Operators,” said Smith.  “In the event of a strike, Specialized Transit service will cease until further notice – with the exception of service for renal dialysis patients. To the extent that conventional operators do not cross the picket line, regular Transit services may be disrupted or unavailable.”

ATU has given formal notice of a strike deadline on Monday, Oct. 20, at 12:01 am, for Lift+ Specialized Transit operators (effectively midnight Sunday) and further advised that conventional Transit service operators may or may not cross the picket line.

Specialized Transit
About Lift+: The City has operated Lift+ Specialized Transit, formerly HAGI Transit, since Jan. 1, 2014. Lift+ Specialized Transit is provided for approximately 1000 registered Thunder Bay residents who, due to a disability, are unable to use Thunder Bay Transit’s conventional bus service.
Booked trips: If service delays or disruptions occur, registered Lift+ passengers who have booked trips will be notified. Passengers affected by trip disruptions are responsible for making alternative arrangements for their transportation.
Essential need: contact will be made with patients with scheduled renal dialysis appointments through Lift+ and transportation arranged.
For Lift + service information the booking line is available at 345-0777.

Conventional Transit
For service information, Transit’s 24-hour Information Line is available at 684-3744.

The City has contacted Lakehead University and Confederation College whose students are significant users of Transit to allow them to put their plans in place.