After a ratification vote on Saturday, 95 per cent of ATU members voted in favour of settling the contract dispute with binding arbitration, bringing the 51-day transit strike officially to an end.
The decision comes a day after city council voted unanimously on Friday to ratify the tentative agreement reached with the Amalgamated Transit Union.
City solicitor Rick O’Connor said all parties have agreed to binding arbitration which would include all items including scheduling without any exception. He said the arbitration process will begin by the end of March and citizens can expect a written decision from the arbitrator by June 2009.
“The end was inevitable. By voting for this, we are accelerating the process of getting the buses back. I call upon the citizens of Ottawa to welcome back the bus drivers. It is now the time to heal and move forward,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien.
OC Transpo general manager Alain Mercier said citizens can expect to get on to buses on Ottawa roads on Feb. 9. About 430 buses will be running on the streets of Ottawa on the first day of services. He says 80 per cent of the daily ridership requirements would be met in the first week once the services resume. This would include a 100 per cent of the off-peak services and 60 per cent of the peak services. However, he said the O-Train service will resume Monday at the latest.
Full services can be expected only in nine to ten weeks, he said. Para Transpo services and reduced parking rates will remain in effect until all bus routes are fully operational.
O-Train and bus service will be free on weekends until the end of February. All O-Train and bus service will be free until February 15.
Some councillors expressed their disappointment over these decisions. “It is completely unacceptable to me that you have suffered through this outrageous strike and now you have to wait 14 more weeks for transit services to be up and running,” said Coun. Maria McRae.
Though the motion passed 17-0, some councillors said they voted in favour with reluctance.
“I don’t think this is a happy day. There are no winners. The residents have lost and the ATU members have lost,” said Coun. Rainer Bloess.
However, Coun. Alex Cullen said he was more optimistic. “I am pleased to vote for this. Nobody wins with a strike. This strike went on so long that it took the threat of legislation to end it and send it off to binding arbitration,” he said.
Following the vote, city treasurer Marian Simulik said the city has saved approximately $9 million during the strike. She said the city spent about $500,000 to provide services including Para Transpo services.
For more information on OC Transpo service please visit: http://www.octranspo.com/