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2010-08-29 at 20:45

Fed up: transit workers

By Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com
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Transit workers say they’re ready to fight the city and council with 96 per cent of the union in favour of a strike mandate.

About 100 Amalgamated Transit Union members voted at the Communications, Energy and Paperwork Centre on Sunday. Transit workers voted 96 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

Charlie Brown, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 966 said they received overwhelming support from the transit members.

"The fight is on," Brown said. "I’m going to tell the city right now that this is ultimatum coming from our work force. We’re tired, we’re fed up and the members say enough is enough. We’re expecting to go back to the table sometime when the city wants to meet. The city is going to have to change its position that’s all there is to it."

The city and union have only agreed to fix typos in the contract while the city has only put concessions to benefits and unlimited part-time work on the table, Brown said. Following the vote on Sunday, the union now has to set a date from the Ministry of Labour before considering any job action, he said. However, the union will take any steps necessary, including a work stoppage, to get a fair contract.

If transit workers were to go on strike it would be sometime in mid September, Brown added.

"As soon as we receive a date from the Ministry of Labour we have 17 days after that and we will be in a legal strike position," he said. "Fact of the matter is they’re fed up. When you have a work force like this who is fed up and they think they’re being taken advantage of then we’re going to do what ever is necessary."

City manager Tim Commisso told Tbnewswatch.com on Friday, that the city and council are doing everything they could to avoid a strike.

While he said there is a contingency plan in place should drivers walk off the job, he didn’t want to comment specifically on what the plan includes. He could only say that there is a significant communication strategy, which would be relayed to the public.

"It’s too early to speculate on what may happen," Commisso said on Friday. "We’re at the point where I think we’re stalled. But, we’re willing to carry on and meet and try to work this through but I don’t want to be in a position really of commenting on something until we see what happens."

No talks have been scheduled.

With files from Jamie Smith.



 Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

Click here to report a typo or error

Tbnewswatch.com(57)

Comments

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FernandoMartinez says:
Then I want Charlie Brown to refund the $73.40 Lakehead University mandated me to pay for a bus pass. Here's what the city should do:

- Cut the empty late night routes with little to no people on them. Those few people may need those routes, but they are uneconomical and everyone ends up paying higher bus fare because of it. Cut these routes after a specific time.

- Make the bus routes more efficient. Examine what routes have the most ridership and why. Build the routes around it.

- Get rid of this basically one bus stop every block BS. It might be more convenient to get to a bus stop, but the route then goes a lot slower, increasing the time it takes for you to get from A to B. In the long run, it'll save you time.

- I've noticed it can take a long time, especially at a busy stop, for everyone to get on and pay their fare. Perhaps look into a system where people can pay before they get on the bus while waiting at the stop and they get a ticket to prove to the driver they've paid. Have the tickets expire after a given time.



When you've done these sorts of things to reduce operating costs, reduce bus fare so more people will ride the bus and then give the rest to the leeches like Charlie Brown.
8/29/2010 9:30:03 PM
patti says:
Here ya go Charlie .............
Tbnewswatch.com

8/29/2010 9:42:02 PM
panzerIV says:
Fernando, as well they can:

Shut off the bus (when its acceptable) to save gas or run off battery power.

Lock the doors so people dont get on without paying.

Too many times have people come on without paying. Too many times have they sat at the terminal or other stops for 10 minutes or more while the bus is running.

To fuel up a bus isn't cheap, dont leave it running if at all possible.

I hope they do strike it doesn't go into the winter, i feel bad for all the people they are going to hold ransom, and to all the people that might have to walk in -40.
8/29/2010 11:27:16 PM
John Doe 1959 says:
lpeterson@thunderbay.ca;iangus@thunderbay.ca;mbentz@thunderbay.ca;afoulds@thunderbay.ca;tgiertuga@thunderbay.ca;lhebert@thunderbay.ca;rjohnson@thunderbay.ca;bmckinnon@thunderbay.ca;fpullia@thunderbay.ca;aruberto@thunderbay.ca;lrydholm@thunderbay.ca;rtuchenhagen@thunderbay.ca;jvirdiramo@thunderbay.ca

Send the following questions to the above :

Tbnewswatch.com

8/29/2010 11:44:15 PM
nvjgu says:
Should wright a story about fed up transit riders and fed up tax payers .
8/30/2010 5:33:25 AM
renegade says:
i'd like to know, excactly what the issues are here....
8/30/2010 6:43:32 AM
patti says:
Brown says ... "ridership is up" ??

that may very well be the case between the hours of 7am. to 7 pm.

but after 7pm "NO WAY JOSE" i'd say ridership is down (way down) the city could slash the transit hours in half quite easily ..... open your eyes people ---> take a look at the empty bus's for yourselves. I've got to side with the city on this one, as they would know the numbers best ~ there's absolutely no way to pay a driver full time $$$ plus benefits, maintenance costs etc. when at the end of the shift you're ending up in the red. Keep the profitable runs, get rid of the rest.

I say restructuring city transit is long over due.
8/30/2010 8:00:28 AM
tsb says:
For Ferdinand:

Transit replaced its fare boxes about a year ago with... the exact same model of fare box. (But it has a digital screen now!) They had apparently originally planned to change to a smart card system that would make getting on the bus very fast and efficient (in some places, the scanner can read a card in your pocket--you simply walk on and it's paid for) but I guess that was "too expensive".

Buses are designed to automatically shut off after 10 minutes. There has been some discussion to change that to five minutes, which they should do.

One of the biggest complaints from passengers is that stops aren't close enough to them. Placing stops at every block (on Simpson and May streets, it is every second block) makes it easier for people to access the bus, especially the elderly and handicapped who heavily rely on the bus. Limited stop service is at least warranted on Memorial, however.

Bus routes are being examined and will be redesigned in a couple years to make the system more efficient.

The late night routes and suburban route with few people on them might seem like a waste of money, but they are feeder routes that bring passengers to the main routes like Memorial or Mainline. Without those feeder routes, ridership would drop significantly. It would also impact people who work early or late hours or on Sunday. They would no longer be able to get to their jobs at those times, they could potentially lose their jobs or at least lose wages since they can't work as many shifts. Smaller buses wouldn't be a very viable option either. All of those "unused" routes become heavily used routes once they get downtown and travel through intercity, so smaller buses would be inappropriate. In addition to that, it would cost just as much to run a smaller bus or van as it does to run the 40 foot buses they use now, so there would be no realistic cost savings. (It would actually be more expensive, since the city would have to invest several million to buy new vehicles--the province only funds replacements for the existing 40 foot buses.) What the city can do is choose a more environmentally friendly model. NovaBus, which manufactures the buses the city has been buying since 1997, produces a hybrid electric model. They're a little bit more expensive to buy but save money on gas in the long run.

Fare evasion is a problem that they have to deal with. More transit supervisors at City Hall terminal have reduced the rate at which that happens there, that should be expanded to operate at all times buses are present and at both terminals.
8/30/2010 8:22:55 AM
Steven says:
John Doe,

Thanks for those addresses; saves me looking them up. I have just sent an email to all of them requesting that they do what is fiscally prudent, and stick to their guns. We can't afford the transit system that we already have, and we need cuts to wages, part timers to help run things more efficiently etc. I urge everyone on here to send a quick note to those addresses as well urging fiscal responsibility, plus forward it on to your friends and family, and ask them to send one. Either we do it, or its 3 more years of wage increases, poor service, and the status quo.

I love #17 on that list below: "Why contract out when it can be done cost effectively in house?"
Am I missing something here? Since when is having some of the highest taxes in the country and some of the worst transit for a city of our size cost effective? I wish we would contract out! Cost would go down, service would go up in a second!

Also #8: "Transit workers are lowest paid, but operate the most expensive equipment and transport the most expensive commodity". Lol That is so funny! Take a look at pilots. The training they take at great cost (thousands and thousands of dollars a year, plus hundreds of flying hours at their own cost) for many many years, in things worth 10-1000 times more than your crappy buses, and the starting wage for many pilots, if they can even find work, is about $30000.

The transit workers in this city need to wake up and smell the recession, plus stop pretending their jobs are hugely important and specialized. They are not! How about some reasonable wage cuts. (I'm thinking 1% this year, freeze the next 2) Everyone keeps their jobs, and part timers can be brought in as required during peak times.

Everyone is paying through the teeth, getting fired, getting laid off, getting their wages slashed, why can't the city workers?

And I know all the union guys will come on and rant about city admin and their wages. I KNOW! I AGREE! They need a cut and freeze as well. But two wrongs don't make a right. The city needs to do the right thing and stand up to the union. Let them rot on the streets through the winter if thats what the union chooses to do. No city "forces" a union to strike as the article below says. The union chooses to strike when they aren't getting their way.

8/30/2010 8:38:06 AM
wolvesfan523 says:
First the fire department without a contract for years and now transit looking to strike after being without a contract. Why is the city not willing to be reasonable with its employees? A strike is never good for any side, I hope this gets settled before that.
8/30/2010 8:55:34 AM
SadieGirl says:
Since when have part time employees ever been a position to demand more? Isn't that the whole point of part time? Full time employees are entitled to more because they work more.

If these buses go on strike, there are so many people who will be hit by this, and a few who may lose their jobs. It's a sad situation.
8/30/2010 9:05:25 AM
SleepyGiant says:
@FernandoMartinez:
Go complain to your Student Union if your pissed about paying $73.40. Do you even realize that is a one month pass on the bus?? Are you kidding me!
8/30/2010 9:31:14 AM
Steven says:
Wolves wrote: "First the fire department without a contract for years and now transit looking to strike after being without a contract. Why is the city not willing to be reasonable with its employees? "

Ummm..... I would say the continuous wage increases, great job security, pay and benefits, and the giant debt we are all crippled under as a result PROVE that the city has been MORE THAN REASONABLE with the unions for far too long. Correct me if i'm wrong, but our taxes are some of the highest in the land, AND we have crippling debt, and that is going into the pockets of city workers, and construction contractors.

I would ask the unions why they aren't willing to give reasonable concessions during these tough times, and help the city, which gives them such a good quality of life, get out of debt and get back on her feet fiscally. The facts speak for themselves: High taxes, huge debt, we need some concessions. The city is not being unreasonable. The unions are.
8/30/2010 9:57:18 AM
totallyamazing says:
Come on City Council.......it's time you all got off your butts and supported the people you have working for this City! Do you not realize how this will affect the bus riders if Transit Operators strike? We all realize none of you ride the bus because you all make too much damn money and all drive expensive vehicles. Maybe cutbacks or wage freezes should start with Senior Administration and Department Managers. This is where our money is being spent. Charlie Brown is representing the Transit Operators and is working hard. He is far from being a leech FernandoMarteninez. Maybe you should present your "great ideas" on how to run the Transit System to City Council or better still try and get a job as a Transit Operator.
8/30/2010 10:13:24 AM
FernandoMartinez says:
To SleepyGiant:

The point is I'm forced to pay $73.40 for something I have no use for. I have my own vehicle. Lakehead subsidizes the rest, no doubt. And where does that money come from? My tuition.
8/30/2010 10:30:44 AM
rider says:
Do you realize bus drivers get paid triple time and a half on holidays and some sundays to drive? At least that was 7 yrs ago, who knows what it is now. Also, they leave the bus running outside of stores to go in and shop or eat, while passengers sit on board, how is that allowable? And it's not like they even guard passengers or watch out for their safety, so why do we keep having to pay them ridiculous amounts of money? They want more people to ride the bus, but with the fares constantly going up to pay for the bus drivers to avoid them going on strike, how can people afford it? These bus drivers strike every few years. It's ridiculous.
8/30/2010 10:45:29 AM
thetruth says:
Wolvesfan is right. It seems the only city group to get regular and timely, not to mention generous, contracts are police. I know they negotiate with a different entity (the police board), but they are still city employees.
Seems council couldn't care less about who works for them.
GOOD LUCK TRANSIT WORKERS
8/30/2010 10:52:06 AM
thetruth says:
Wolvesfan is right. It seems the only city group to get regular and timely, not to mention generous, contracts are police. I know they negotiate with a different entity (the police board), but they are still city employees.
Seems council couldn't care less about who works for them.
GOOD LUCK TRANSIT WORKERS
8/30/2010 10:52:15 AM
myopic not foolish says:
It's obvious this Council and administration suck. These supposed highly qualified people are incapable to settle an established union contract. What's the problem? GIT ER DONE!
8/30/2010 11:53:32 AM
tsb says:
"they leave the bus running outside of stores to go in and shop or eat, while passengers sit on board"

There are days where I have spent as much as three hours on the bus, and I have never seen that.
8/30/2010 1:24:21 PM
jonnyrc says:
bus drivers deserve more money, they are not babysitters but are treated as such, they do not get paid enough, im sorry, 45k a year to be heckled on a daily basis, come on, its a high stress job, the provincial government has cut soo much of its funding thats why its so much more now to take the bus, go ask a bus driver why they voted 96% in favour of a strike
8/30/2010 1:27:14 PM
every day people says:
I am surprised and concerned that the bus driver's get paid a lower wage than other city jobs.They deal with violence and abuse at work every day, I have seen it.It must be frustrating to work for an employer who simply doesn't care.City council take the bull by the horns and give them a deserving contract.
8/30/2010 1:41:25 PM
Steven says:
Jonnyrc, why do you think 96% voted in favour of a strike?

Well, if I were them, and someone said, "we're going to lower your wages because we're broke, and we'll bring in PT workers to help at peak hours cause we're broke", even if I understood those reasons, i'd still vote for a strike, because i've got a sweet deal, and don't want it to end.

Taking something away, even when its justified, is always the toughest thing to do.
8/30/2010 2:01:16 PM
pawn says:
Hopefully, they will stay on strike for 3 months and the city can give them a 2% raise and not lose any money.

The only one that will make money out of this is the Union when it raises it's rates again.

I feel so sorry for the transit workers....they are so much like sheep.
8/30/2010 2:40:05 PM
SleepyGiant says:
Fernando:
"Lakehead subsidizes the rest".
I know for a fact that they don't, it's a packaged deal. Wait until you don't have gas money/your car won't start and you'll be glad to have a bus pass.
8/30/2010 2:43:37 PM
feduptaxpayer#1 says:
To SleepyGiant:

I don't know that for a fact, but I'll take your word for it as I see no reason for you to be mistaken or lying.

However, the point is I have to pay for something I don't want, regardless if I may need it down the road or not.

The instances you mention will rarely happen, meaning I'm paying $73.40 for a few bus rides or even none at all. I have gas money because I have a job. And if my car won't start, I'll get a ride from a friend or relative.

Last year, I didn't use my bus pass once and that was almost another $100 that could have been in my pocket.
8/30/2010 3:26:50 PM
tsb says:
I have to pay taxes to maintain roads I don't use, schools I don't go to and a hospital I haven't been to in 6 years. Do I get a break? No.

Transit use is way up thanks to the U-Pass. I'm sorry you feel that way, but you're clearly in the minority.
8/30/2010 4:10:03 PM
elvis2010 says:
totallyamazing, well said, agree with you 100%!!!
8/30/2010 4:46:17 PM
advocate says:
If you guys have an issue with the Lakehead Bus Pass, take it to the student union. The Union tried three times to a Yes vote in the election for the bus pass. There is no reason why you guys cannot have a referendum to remove the pass.

But this is not the City's or LU's fault. It is the student's and LUSU's.

8/30/2010 5:08:58 PM
worker1 says:
hey pawn better get your facts straight the union does not raise the rates nor does it have anything to do with it. its the city management that decides to raise rates. just like the u-passes.
what about those in the sunshine club they make more than the rest of the city workers is this fair??
8/30/2010 10:25:46 PM
nvjgu says:
Oh boo hoo no contract try not haveing a job for three years. Get to work an like it
8/31/2010 4:16:35 AM
Steven says:
Worker, you get YOUR facts straight.

The unions DO raise the rates. Everytime they threaten to strike and get yet another raise as a result, that leads to higher cost to the city. There are only two ways to pay for that: Either raise taxes directly, or raise rates. Often, both happen. So yes, the unions raise rates.

As for pointing out the sunshine club (hi cops!), two wrongs don't make a right. The city needs to cut LIGHTLY into ALL SALARIES right now, and freeze them next year and the year after.

Reminder: Over $200,000,000.00 in debt!
8/31/2010 8:37:07 AM
pieislandrefugee says:
I dont see why its the taxpayers responsibility to ensure people have a transit system in the first place.

Heres a hint...buy a car! Cant afford one? well then maybe instead of complaining about the wages these bus drivers get, you should be complaining about the wages YOU get... then you might be able to afford a car instead of whining about what others earn.
8/31/2010 10:21:11 AM
tsb says:
Dear Walmart:

Please pay us 45,000 a year so that we can afford SUVs.

Sincerely,

Part time employee
8/31/2010 11:44:05 AM
imhere says:
The sad thing is if they drivers go on strike the people affected will be the drivers - they don't get as much strike pay as when they are working -, the passengers who NEED the bus, the entire city who shops or eats out as now with some staff not making it to work waits can go up. The people NOT suffering will be the union - they get their pay whether the employees are working or not. They really don't care if the drivers go on strike - it's not their paycheque that's impacted.

Time to freeze all union and management wages in this entire city until the debt it paid off and then look at raises and benefits for employees. Alberta froze wages until the province got out of debt and then implemented raises for everyone and it worked very well once all contracts were settled. Higher up people in this city, for the most part, are too damn greedy though and would whine about it for who knows how long. I can't afford my taxes to go up, especially after water and everything else did. I ride the bus regularly and don't know if I can get to work without it. We don't have a vehicle because they are too expensive - I get a fair wage for what I do - I can't complain about it, not saying more wouldn't be nice. As a family my husband and I have never made what the full time transit drivers make - yet with 4 kids we have still managed to survive so freezing wages for all city employees, their unions, anyone with a union and their unions as well as all management would definitely help this city out of the downward spiral we are in. Will I ever see it happening? Hell no! That's the problem with this city - they spend way more than what they have.

Also, why is it the city has to give in to what the union wants? Why can't the union give in to some of what the city wants? You know it's called negotiation and even my kids know how to do that. Time to look out for everyone who will be effected and not just yourselves for once. If the money isn't there it isn't there - I already paid for 2 increases in bus fares on the 20 ride bus this year with no explanation as to why the prices went up.
8/31/2010 12:16:09 PM
worker1 says:
Steven you seem to think you are knowledgeable.One of reasons city raises rates is because of the many damages that occur such as bus shelters broken each cost thousands of dollars to replace,smashed windows,damaged to extorier and interior of bus,damaged that was done to old brodie and water termal,damaged to bus stop signs this "WHAT CAUSES RATES" to go up.Its not only cops that are in the sunshine club to me they deserve every cent. Wouldn't you want a good paying job?That includes giving you good health and dental benefits that help if you and your family when you need it. This has been in place in the contract now the city wants to take it away. How would you feel you wake up one morning and find yourself with serious health issues and find you have no benefits covered by your employer? You are not working,no money coming in,and evenually the job is lost.Union works to protect that.
8/31/2010 12:16:58 PM
westfort resident says:
I'm surprised nobody has said this yet in the comments section: "Good grief, Charlie Brown!"
8/31/2010 12:50:40 PM
bluebomberfan says:
Transit employees are the lowest paid workers for the City of Thunder Bay. They do have a high stress job and if you have ever rode on a city bus you can see for yourself what they put up with in a day! They don't make huge money in the first place and don't make "triple time" on holidays. They make time and a half like any other worker that works overtime in the city. They have NEVER made triple time as stated by someone and they don't strike every few years!!! The last time they were on strike was in 1987 and it was for 18 days...get your facts straight before you putting them in writing!!! These drivers don't make a lot of money and are only asking to basically keep what they have. Maybe city council should get out of their expensive cars and ride the bus for a while and see what a "dreamy" job these drivers have!! Ridiculous. I guess too much was spent on the new City Hall and they can't afford to give Transit a mere 2% raise. I feel bad for everybody that needs Transit to get to school, work, doctor's appointments, etc. It will be a huge upset for the community and city management will be driving to work in their cars and sitting in their comfy offices not caring...working on their next wage increase!! Best of luck to the drivers, you deserve an increase!
8/31/2010 1:05:51 PM
SleepyGiant says:
@pieislandrefugee:
I completely agree with you.. All I ask is that you don't put all of us all in the same basket. Since school is so expensive some of us 'poorer' people can't choose between a car and an education. I chose an education. And I'm quite happy with my choice. :)
8/31/2010 1:26:53 PM
chezhank says:
Just for information:
In 2004 there were 131 full time positions and 9 part time positions in the transit department.
In 2008 there were 146 full time positions and
10 part time positions in the transit department.
Has the city grown??????
Will eliminating 15 full time jobs meet the union's demands.....appears they managed in 2004!


























8/31/2010 2:37:05 PM
chezhank says:
A quick follow up on what I just posted:
Today at 14:37
The 2010 transit operating budget shows 115 full time employees and 0.5 part time positions.
Guess it was already done ?
Would anyone know the numbers?
8/31/2010 3:23:06 PM
Steven says:
Oh worker1! You really think those damages havn't happened in the past? They've always happened, always will, and are not responsible for the raise in rates.

The single greatest cost in the transit department: LABOUR. End of story.
Our city is not growing, but the number of full-time employees continues to grow within this division.
Its time to cut routes, cut staff, and rely on PT employees to some extent to deal with peak times. Its the right thing to do.

But go on Worker1; try and convince us all that some smashed bus shelters and vandalism are responsible for the fare increases and piss poor service, because I am quite sure that is plausible.
8/31/2010 3:36:37 PM
worker1 says:
oh really "CHEZHANK" are these positions including the drivers,maintenance personnel,mechanics,tiremen,lube man,bus cleaners. when one gets hired at any job as parttime theres expectations of it become full time. who wouldn't want a 40 hr wk?
now if theres unlimited parttime hired it means no guaruntee of any full time.Would you like that if your next to be full time and it gets turned around and 2 more partimers get hired, and your still waiting? Is this fair? Wouldn't you be upset?Or would you go to the management and say "gee,thanks for not promoting me i did deserve it anyways.
8/31/2010 3:51:27 PM
worker1 says:
i believe the greatest cost to transit would be "FUEL" theres 30 buses on the road each day and uses approx. 200 liters a day, thats 6,000 liters, now the price for fuel is $1.30 a liter,which is not bought at bulk rate.figure it out how much that is on a daily base,this is not counting replacing antifreeze if hoses breaks,oil leaks or transmission leaks.Any bus rider wouldn't want routes cut or time cut on routes.i know i wouldn't.There are many out that work 2 or more pt jobs all because theres no full time.I don't blame transit employees fighting for what they want, you would too if you were in the same position.
8/31/2010 4:15:34 PM
jb says:
and the "Troll of the Year" award goes to....... pieislandrefuge
8/31/2010 4:37:45 PM
pawn says:
@Worker1
Sorry for my confusing post. I mean the union rates for the employee's will increase.
You are right the union does not have anything to do with the bus rates.....other that their contract raise will require the city to raise the rates for these overpaid and underworked employees.

8/31/2010 5:18:29 PM
tomcat says:
To Steven. Do your research and find out how many full time supervisors and managers of "this and that" have increased over the years. The worker has decreased in numbers. Never replaced.
The city gets gas tax $$$ for this dept. and it can be used on wages. The amount is in the double digit millions. This division isn't growing in manpower, it is decreasing. I suggest you get your facts straight. Many good jobs and trades have been lost.Listen to what is being said. They already have part timers that they use. The City wants unlimited ### 's. Which is a huge NO!!!!!They are fighting for the future worker, not only themselves. Management raises the fares, drops the service at peak times, keeps the service a night when its dead, has electronic signs that are wrong, gives out wrong info. on the phone line. This is not the driver's fault Scheduling,routing etc. again not the driver's fault for the rest of you. They really have gotten a rotten deal over the past years. Time for a change. Improve their working conditions.
8/31/2010 7:26:34 PM
chezhank says:
I got another batch of numbers this time from a news release from city hall.
"ATU Local 966 represents more than 100 full-time Transit operators, 24 maintenance employees and 10 part-time relief operators."
So there must be at least 124 full time employees and 10 part time positions.Staff...??
worker1.....
Part-time employees should fill the voids to fill the complement of full time employees.
I wonder if anyone at city hall really knows how many people work for transit?
So much for the 2010 transit operating budget!
Are they are hiding people and paying transit from general tax revenues????????
8/31/2010 7:39:27 PM
worker1 says:
fyi: transit part timers make more per hour then a full time driver.its in leiu of benefits thats all fine and dandy but i'm sure any partimer would want benefits.Wouldn't you?
dental,medical,vision and a plan for those on sick leave is what every transit worker want. i know i would for my family.Don't let the management of the city tell you different they have the money for this. its in the budget for 4% increase, those puppets in negotations are trying to stiff the workers.if they succeed guess what they get "PERKS and BONUSES" Is this fair??
9/1/2010 11:03:19 AM
rider says:
"@bluebomberfan: They don't make huge money in the first place and don't make "triple time" on holidays. They have NEVER made triple time as stated by someone and they don't strike every few years!!! The last time they were on strike was in 1987 and it was for 18 days...get your facts straight before you putting them in writing!!! "

I'm pretty damn certain that they were on strike for a least a few days, when I was in highschool, which was between 1995 and 1999, because there was a few days I couldn't take the bus to school. And even if they don't strike every few years, they sure seem to threaten it. And as for the triple time and a half, I had that confirmed to me by 2 drivers I knew back in 1999. And I really doubt they would lie about being paid a ridiculous amount.

And as for the other person who said he rode the bus for 3 hours and the bus driver never left to run into a store and leave the bus running, well, that was 3 hours of one day. When I used to ride the bus daily it would happen at least a few times a week. Why do you think they had to move the bus stop that was in front of Robin's on Frederica? Because the bus would sit there for upwards of 15 min and block the exits of the parking lot. They had to move the stop down the street.

I really don't feel sorry for these bus drivers or any other unions that go on strike because they make over $30,000 and it's not enough. Maybe try working for minimum wage, with a college education going to waste, because the economy has gotten so bad it's all you can find, and you had to beat out 1000 other unemployed people to get it. I know MANY people that would gladly do your job at half your wage and be happy to feed their families.
9/1/2010 11:27:02 AM
worker1 says:
i would love to make triple time,tell me where that is i want to apply.the person who rode for 3 hrs.its takes 30 minutes to go across town and 45 minutes (example)city hall to airport and back.you must be one of thoses who doesn't have life and wants to ride around.AS far as i know the bus driver doesn't get any breaks other then lunch,so if he or she needs to use the bathroom they take when ever.so if getting a coffee big deal!
Oh the other thing the bus stop moved at frederica and james is one of safety issue nothing more. people park next to bus stop blocking view if a bus is there someone coming from drive through well we all know how city drivers are, its ME,ME,ME ..
9/1/2010 12:40:37 PM
Steven says:
Tomcat, everything you are bringing up is legitimate. The way routes are done is insane..... buses to the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, and not enough on busy lines where people actually want them.
Incorrect signs, phone lines etc.

All of these things are wrong and need fixing, and its not the unions' fault. But how does that equate to the union getting "a rotten deal"?
Last time I checked, nobody has been fired without cause, and the high-school level educated transit drivers make good money and lead a good life here in Thunder Bay with their wages. They ARE some of the lower in the province, but there are much less night runs than in most cities, and the cost of living is 40% less than most cities you are comparing to due to low cost of housing here.

As for the part time thing, I think a business, ESPECIALLY A CITY, should have the right to run as they see fit. The city is run for the people, not the union. If that mean that as people retire many are replaced with part timers, so be it. If that is what does the job the best and in the most cost effective way thats how it should be.

If you believe it is the city's job to hire lots of people and give out lots of money, might I suggest you look at why a city is created: To pool tax money and provide services and governance to its citizens who pay in. Not to help out unions.


Rider, I agree with you. Try working for minimum wage with no benefits while paying to take the bus to that job, after you couldn't find a job even with your university or college education. Then you know actual hardship. These union folk need to smell the economy, and give back a little to the city that has taken such good care of them for so long. The city needs you union members (and management at the city!). She is crying out, bleeding money, huge debt tumor, and on life support. Will you come to her aid, or just let the debts keep racking up off her (and the taxpayers) backs?
9/1/2010 1:14:59 PM
pieislandrefugee says:
thanks jb! Id like to thank a long list of people but Im not one for speeches, so I'll cut it short and just say...

thanks for addressing the content of my comment, rather than just call me a troll. Oooops! sorry, got that sdrawkcab! my mistake.

How about you discuss the subject at hand so we can actually act like adults here?

and thank you for your support!
9/1/2010 2:07:33 PM
SadieGirl says:
@pieislandrefugee..

I complain that I don't make enough money all the time, is that ever going to change? No. I have other expenses I need to pay for, like rent and food. Sure, I can save up slowly and surely, like I have been. I should be able to buy a car in about...3 years. Not to mention the fact that when I finally can buy one, I'll need to pay for gas and maintenance. Yeah, no thanks.

Not only that, but transit is also used by those with disabilities, who can't work and can't drive. Try putting yourself in someone elses shoes before you call us a bunch of whiners.
9/1/2010 3:51:07 PM
worker1 says:
Tomcat, you are correct, finally some here knows whats he talking about.
most of these complainers are the wishy-washys and want-to-bes who sit back and complain without knowing whats its really about..
9/1/2010 4:15:10 PM
nvjgu says:
Fed up tax payers
9/2/2010 10:15:42 PM
Blake says:
Fed up tax payers. Amen.
9/3/2010 9:44:53 AM
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