Union says 'final attempt' to reach deal with Transit Windsor to start Friday

A "final attempt" at trying to reach an agreement between Transit Windsor and its some 300 workers will be made this coming weekend.

A statement issued by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) said a federal mediator who met with both sides this past weekend will have them reconvene for another three days starting this Friday — adding transit service will continue throughout the next week. 

ATU International vice-president Manny Sforza accused the service provider of "bad faith bargaining," by returning to the table without an intention of closing a deal.

"The federal mediator seemed optimistic calling the parties back to the table … but it appears that they are just playing games — wasting time and taxpayers' money," he said.

The City of Windsor's commissioner of infrastructure services responded with a "no comment" to CBC News when asked about negotiations and the union's claims.

However, Mark Winterton did say the city looks forward to "successfully negotiating a collective agreement."

The union maintains the key sticking points in talks centre around 10 mandated paid sick days.

"Ensuring paid sick days for workers is not just a labour issue," said ATU International president John Costa.

"It's a fundamental commitment to the well-being of our workforce and our community."

For the first time since 2020, the union issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier this month but then temporarily delayed any action before the deadline.

Unionized transit workers in Windsor have been in a legal strike position since Dec. 3.