London's paratransit operators have voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the same union that represents London Transit Commission (LTC) drivers and staff.

Held in early November, the results of the two-day vote were only made public this past Friday, showing about 83 per cent of counted ballots favoured joining ATU Local 741.

Voyago, the company contracted to operate paratransit, had taken issue with the size and scope of the bargaining unit, and challenged the vote under the Labour Relations Act. The matter was sent to the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the results were sealed until a resolution was found, something which came last week.

"(It's) a telltale sign of how disgruntled employees are with the employer," said John Di Nino, ATU's national president, of the results. "It really is a vote of confidence, from our perspective, that these … workers were crying out for help."

In November, Di Nino told CBC News that workers were paid less than what was seen elsewhere across the country, and didn't have the same protections as those enjoyed by LTC's conventional bus drivers.

Long hours and staff turnover were also concerns, he added, something echoed by a paratransit driver who told CBC News that riders were being negatively affected.

According to the count, 131 workers with Voyago's LTC division cast ballots, 20 of which were in dispute, and six ruled out of order. Of the 125 ballots counted, 104 were in favour of unionizing, while 21 were against, the results show.

The new bargaining unit includes Voyago's paratransit operators and those of its Kings/Western shuttle.

In an email to the bargaining unit, shared with CBC News, local union officials said inter-community transit drivers were excluded to avoid possible litigation. Voyago argued their inclusion would harm business operations given inter-community service extended outside London, the email says.

"We believe this was the best decision because we want to organize inter-community transit operators as soon as possible," the union email reads.

"If the case advanced to a court hearing, it was possible for ATU to lose and face a year long organizing penalty for everyone before we could organize again."

CBC News reached out to Voyago and to its parent company, Transdev, but did not receive responses from either before publication.

Stephanie Marentette, chair of LTC, said the commission could not comment on the union activities of a third-party service provider, and reiterated an earlier statement that financial and service impacts weren't anticipated.

Over the summer, LTC's contract with Voyago was extended until July 2027. London Transit is set to implement 10,000 new hours of paratransit service this month.

Di Nino said the union will soon file a notice to bargain, calling for both parties to come together and hammer out a collective agreement from scratch. Local officials will also survey unit members about their priorities and wants in a new deal.

Asked if he was optimistic an agreement would be reached this year, Di Nino replied, "I'm hoping."

"Our thought process is that this employer is going to delay and defer, and this could take a considerable amount of time," he said.

"I mean, we want to move on this quickly and without making any mistakes, but we want to get these workers what they rightfully need and deserve and what they're asking for."