Provincial mediator brings parties together after warning from region
One group of striking workers in the York Region transit strike will resume to negotiations after a provincial mediator intervened in the matter.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587, who represents 250 employees at Miller Transit, will return to the bargaining table on Jan. 20. This will be the first time the two parties have met since the workers turned down Miller's last offer by nearly 84 per cent on Jan. 6.
About 560 York Region transit workers have been locked out of work since Oct. 24, 2011.
Workers are employed by three different management companies and represented by ATU Local 1587 and Local 113.
Earlier this week, York Region terminated its contract with service provider, First Canada. The region is reportedly in talks with an unidentified company to replace First Canada and a new contract will be placed before the regional council for approval on Jan. 26. Service could be resumed by Feb. 5.
York Region warned all the parties involved in the strike, which is now in its 13th week, to reach agreements by Jan. 20.
