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No progress as LTC, union return to talks

November 30, 2009
By Shreya Tekriwal

The London Transit Commission and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741 went back to the bargaining table yesterday morning.

An article in the London Free Press stated the union refused to bargain without an arbitrator if a settlement was not reached during Monday’s discussion.

According to the article, LTC general manager Larry Ducharme mentioned they are reluctant to pursue arbitration as arbitrators tend to favour the employee and do not take into account previous negotiations.

A press release from the LTC noted yesterday’s mediation talks — the first to take place between the two sides in almost a month — served to clarify the positions of both the parties.

“The mediator has adjourned discussions for the day and requested parties go back and reassess their respective positions in an effort to move discussions forward,” the press release stated.

Both the LTC and ATU Local 741 were unavailable for comment. However, the press release stated LTC will not be commenting on specifics of the discussion due to confidentiality.

ATU Local 741 continues to demand a 12 per cent increase in wages and benefits over three years in addition to the hiring of more drivers. The LTC on the other hand, remains firm in its offer of nine per cent.

Members of the community continue to air their comments publicly on Facebook, in groups such as “UWO against London Transit Strike,” which has over 2,700 members. On another group entitled “London Transit Sucks,” one person wrote: “London transit is horrible […] So many students are screwed.

With the transit strike moving into its third week, students, staff and faculty at Western continue to look towards alternative means of transportation.

As of yesterday morning, there were 1009 registrants with Western’s “Mustangs moving Mustangs” Share a Ride program, which encourages carpooling by allowing faculty, staff and students to sign up as “drivers” or “riders”. Out of the total participants, 677 were students in need of a ride.

University Students’ Council president Emily Rowe acknowledged if the stalemate persists, the USC will have to look at further initiatives to help get students to school.

“I don’t think it’s going to be resolved for a while,” she conceded.

“As [the strike] continues, we will look at options to urge the parties to come to an agreement.”

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