99% of Hamilton transit workers support strike mandate

Almost all Hamilton transit workers have voted to strike if negotiations stall with the city. 

In a vote this week, 99 per cent of Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) union members supported walking off the job unless the city "seriously" improves its offer, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107 president Eric Tuck said in a statement Friday. 

If a strike were to happen it would mean no city bus service, which would have a "devastating impact" on passengers, he said. 

After six months of collective bargaining, workers are still demanding higher wages to keep up with the pace of inflation, Tuck said. 

Non-unionized staff were provided with an 11 per cent wage increase beginning in July, the city confirmed to CBC Hamilton. HSR workers are being offered "far less," Tuck said.

"This is a complete insult and not fair by any standards." 

HSR workers are also looking for job security when it comes to the proposed light rail transit system, asking they operate and maintain it rather than it be contracted out. 

A conciliator will be appointed to help with negotiations. If no progress is made, ATU or the city can apply for a "no-board" notice and 17 days after it's issued, pursue a legal strike or lockout.

The city told CBC Hamilton it was aware of ATU's strike vote, and labour relations director Yakov Sluchenkov.said it's "not an uncommon part of the bargaining process."

"We respect their right to do so," he said. "We look forward to working with the conciliator to make further progress in negotiations." 

Sluchenkov said the city is working toward a collective agreement that is fair to both workers are taxpayers.