Winnipeg transit dispute about wages, not hours, union president says

Winnipeg's transit union wants the city to agree to increased wages in negotiations that will continue Tuesday with mediation. 

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 represents about 1,100 bus drivers and 250 maintenance workers.

Union president John Callahan said the biggest issue is wage packages, since without competitive wages they are unable to attract and retain bus operators and trades people.

Operators with the city start at $18.40 an hour. Callahan said it takes five years to reach the top of the pay scale at $25.64.

Winnipeg's transit workers are about four or five dollars below what the provincial average for similar jobs, Callahan estimated.

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It has been three weeks since the union workers stopped working voluntary overtime, which includes bus operators and maintenance staff.

Since maintenance workers began refusing overtime, 115 transit busses have been put out of service due to mechanical issues, which is triggering the delays the city is now seeing.

The union will be meeting with Winnipeg Transit today with a conciliator to continue negotiations. 

"That's the goal to come to a deal today and get back to providing the service to the citizens of Winnipeg and hopefully be able to enhance the service, that's the ultimate goal is to better the much-needed service," Callahan told CBC's Information Radio.