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Another transit strike threat

OC Transpo supervisors - the people who make sure buses run on time, and schedule bus repairs - have voted against the latest contract offer from the City of Ottawa. They can legally strike as soon as June 21, 2003.

City of Ottawa Press Release
February 4, 2003

City and Transit Union reach contract agreement

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 membership has
voted to accept the City of Ottawa’s final offer. The ATU represents OC
Transpo’s operators, dispatchers and mechanics.

The settlement, which is subject to ratification by Ottawa’s City Council,
means it will be business as usual for bus and O-Train passengers.

“We are absolutely delighted that we were able to come up with an offer
that is good for everyone,” said Rosemarie Leclair, General Manager,
Transportation Utilities and Public Works. “Both sides approached this
with a desire to reach an agreement and avoid any disruptions that could
cause inconvenience and even hardship for the public - and the process
worked.”

“Now, we can focus on working together to continue to build a first class
transit system that will meet Ottawa’s growing needs,” Ms Leclair said.

The offer includes:

Wages and overtime

  • A 3% increase retroactive to April 1, 2002
  • An additional 3% effective this April 1
  • A further 3% as of April 1, 2004
  • An OC Transpo bus operator would earn $22.17 per hour before overtime and benefits by April 1, 2004, or $46,113 annually
  • A licensed mechanic would earn $25.97 hourly or $54,017 annually as of April 1, 2004
  • Increased eligibility for overtime

Job security and contracting out

  • Employees in the bargaining unit cannot lose their jobs as a result of contracting out.
  • The contract includes some of the most progressive language in the country to allow the union to participate in determining how contracted work might be completed by bargaining unit employees.
  • The issue of rural routes to be resolved through the grievance process.
  • Current arrangement for O-Train operators to be entrenched in the Collective Agreement for the life of the O-Train pilot-project, up to May 2005.

Other benefits

  • A 10% increase in overtime meal allowances
  • 25% increase to $100 for boot and shoe allowance for operators and dispatchers
  • A 33.3% increase to $400 for the equipment division clothing and boot allowance
  • An improved allowance for tools to $340
  • The union’s separate benefit program is protected including an improvement to vision care to $250, from current $200
  • An increase in bereavement leave
  • Various other enhancements to wage premiums to address shifts and other duties
  • Joint union-management committee to address scheduling issues