Hamilton transit strike would impact Burlington bus stops

Burlington transit says the potential Hamilton strike will impact on of its routes into the neighbouring city.

Talks between Hamilton and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107, which represents the city’s 800 transit workers, have been ongoing for some time ahead of a strike deadline of Nov. 9. However, a last minute meeting broke down on Nov. 8 leaving the strike all but a certainty.

Hamilton says the union has pursued a sizable raise for its workers. The city included one in its offer, but ATU Local 107 feels it is not enough. The proposed new salary would be $79,726 after four years, a 12.75 per cent jump.

This would keep Hamilton’s transit staff the third highest paid in Ontario behind Mississauga and Brampton. The proposal also included boosts to the workers benefits like eye care and mental health coverage. However the union has held firm at a 21.69 per cent hike, or an annual salary of $86,860 after four years.

The strike will begin to impact communters as of 4:30 a.m. Nov. 9, the beginning of the Hamilton Transit service day. These impacts will also spill into neighbouring Burlington which connects into Hamilton via their Route 1.

As a result, all Burlington Transit bus stops will be re-located as of Nov. 9. They will, however, remain nearby. They include;

• York Boulevard at Locke Street, Stop 667
• York Boulevard, east of Queen Street, Stop 913
• York Boulevard at Bay Street, Stop 911
• York Boulevard at Park Street, Stop 912
• King Street at Bay Street, Stop 827
• Bay Street at Vine Street, Stop 682
• Cannon Street at Hess Street, Stop 684
• Cannon Street at Locke Street, Stop 828