Mayor Horwath provides update to public, as transit strike begins

HAMILTON, ON – Mayor Andrea Horwath provided an update on negotiations with the ATU Local 107 transit union today, as service disruptions began across the city.

Talks between the parties ended on Tuesday, after the ATU Local 107 refused to lower its requested wage increase and rejected a set of strike protocols, which would have provided continued administration of Extended Health and Dental to transit workers and their families during the work stoppage and established guidelines for safe and respectful strike behaviour.

Mayor Horwath acknowledged the difficulties of a transit disruption and encouraged a quick return to service, but said it should not come at a greater price to Hamilton residents.

“I believe deeply in organized labour and in our workers. Our whole city does,” said Mayor Horwath. “But these negotiations are underpinned by facts that we cannot change.”

The ATU Local 107 has requested a wage increase of approximately 23% over the next four years, which would translate to $17 Million in wages that would have to be covered by increases to city transit fares or to property taxes, or both.

The City’s final offer, which the union declined, was a 12.75% increase over four years.

This offer was nearly identical to the one that was accepted by the City’s largest union, CUPE 5167, just a few months ago.

Mayor Horwath noted that the City of Hamilton engages in pattern bargaining, meaning that agreements extended to one union are used as the precedent for offers to our other unionized employees. A 23% increase for all 11 City of Hamilton unions would translate to more than $113 Million over the next four years.

Acting City Manager Carlyle Khan also provided an update, saying the city would be providing refunds on monthly transit pass holders and bulk ticket purchases, and is working to manage parking and traffic to reduce the impact on those moving around the city.

Quick Facts

• The City’s non-unionized workers are paid at the 50th percentile (middle of the salary range of comparable cities) compared to wages of comparable municipalities.
• ATU members are paid at the 83rd percentile (higher salary range of comparable municipalities).
• As per the City’s retention strategy, a recent wage increase to non-unionized employees has reduced turnover rates to 5.23 percent as opposed to 9.94 percent last year.
• ATU members are third highest paid amongst comparable transit municipalities, behind only Brampton and Mississauga.

For more information about the transit strike, visit Hamilton.ca/TransitStrike