If you’re a transit user in Waterloo Region, you’re going to have to find another way around on Tuesday.
Grand River Transit workers have rejected the tentative contract agreement on the table during a ratification vote.
According to a Tweet from their union office, a strike has been called beginning Tuesday morning.
The tentative contact between Unifor Local 4304 — representing about 700 Grand River Transit/MobilityPLUS operators, dispatchers, fleet mechanics and service attendants — and the Region of Waterloo was reached just before the midnight deadline last Monday.
The Region of Waterloo says in a Tweet they are “disappointed with UNIFOR 4304’s failure to ratify the agreement” and that they “remain available to discuss next steps.”
“The membership has made a very strong statement today that GRT must do better at the bargaining table,” said Local 4304 Local President Tim Jewell.
The Unifor release states they “will work quickly to set up bargaining dates with the employer to work through the remaining issues.”
They say details of the tentative contract will not be released.
On Monday, the region’s CAO Mike Murray told 570 NEWS in the event of a GRT strike, they will make exceptions for mobility buses to help transport those with certain medical needs.
ION is expected to run as normal.
.@UniforLocal4304 members employed at @GRT_ROW have REJECTED the tentative agreement from the @RegionWaterloo, a strike has been called beginning Tuesday. More details to come.
— Unifor Local 4304 (@UniforLocal4304) January 20, 2020
Region is disappointed with UNIFOR 4304’s failure to ratify @GRT_ROW tentative agreement – We remain available to discuss next steps.
— Region of Waterloo (@RegionWaterloo) January 20, 2020
