OC Transpo Strike: Day 31

In the news today:

 * 
The majority of the transit union members vote "
[
 no
](http://www.transitottawa.ca/2009/01/union-soundly-rejects-citys-offer.html)
" to the city's offer ... but
[
 25% vote yes
](http://gordon.dewis.ca/2009/01/09/25-of-the-atu-279-voted-to-accept-the-offer/)
.

 * 
[
 A mediator will meet with both sides on Monday
](http://watch.ctv.ca/news/clip120101#clip128303)
to try to get talks going.

 * 
Larry O'Brien says
[
 the city has plans to ease the burden on commuters
](http://www.mayorlarry.ca/2009/01/09/city-taking-action-after-a-no-vote-from-atu-279/)
.  (Why'd they wait until a month into the strike?)  Plans include offering Transitway access to shuttle buses, such as the ones being run by universities, expanding Para Transpo service (including hiring more drivers).

 * 
O'Brien also says the City of Ottawa"will be immediately providing emergency funding to those at risk of losing their jobs due to an inability to get transportation."  Whatever that means.
  


 * 
The City is also laying off some OC Transpo workers because of the work stoppage.

 * 
[
 Andre Cornellier joins the dark sid
](http://www.transitottawa.ca/2009/01/dark-side-of-leadership.html)
e (at least in the Ottawa Sun).
  


 * 
Some
[
 funny stuff
](http://www.flacklife.com/2009/01/ottawa-bus-strike-youtube-edition-part.html)
on YouTube.

 * 
What next?  David Reevely offers his
[
 suggestion
](http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/greaterottawa/archive/2009/01/09/where-do-we-go-from-here.aspx)
.

** Related: ** Ottawa OC Transpo Guide