YRT transit avoids strike

Antonella Cangelosi
Contributor
Amid looming concerns York Region Transit (YRT) would go on strike at the stroke of midnight, approximately 200 YRT contract staff returned to work as usual Feb. 14.
The YRT’s union – the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) – reached a tentative agreement with Veolia Transportation Feb. 13, half an hour before the 12:01a.m. strike deadline on Feb. 14.
The agreement, however, does not completely eliminate the possibility of a strike. According to Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas, York region transit commissioner , the union will be holding a ratification vote as early as Feb. 15 on the ATU’s agreement.
“If the union ratifies, it’s business as usual,” said Llewellyn-Thomas.
She also mentioned that, should the union refuse the ratification vote, a strike is still possible.
“Nothing will happen without ample warning, so it’s important for people to check the YRT website,” she advised.
The YRT website is continuously being monitored and updated. A warning will be posted in case commuters need to find alternate means of
transportation.
The YRT operates by employing private companies as well as the TTC to manage their transit system. The YRT has contracts with four private companies, one of which is Veolia Transportation. These companies are hired to run and maintain YRT and VIVA buses and terminals, in addition to supplying a mass transit system.
Veolia Transportation buses travel within York region’s southwest division, covering twenty-four YRT routes. The majority of these routes are located in the city of Vaughan, though some travel through the township of King, Newmarket, Markham, Aurora and Richmond Hill.
Prior to the Feb. 13 agreement, Veolia Transportation and the ATU were at odds over the fact Veolia Transportation workers were not allotted sick days as part of their benefits.
For more information about the strike, visit www.yrt.ca.