CTV News Ottawa

Dan Burnside
I hope you greedy and selfish bus drivers are enjoying your 34 days without pay. You fail to realize that when you do go back to work, you won't even get a paycheque for about another four weeks atleast. Keep following your leader so we can start replacing you. Larry; Give them nothing. If they didnt want to work split shifts then they shouldn't have become bus drivers. GO LARRY GO

Former OC bus rider
Message to Both Parties, WE NEED THE BUS SERVICE NOW.

R. Burrows
What are the unions thinking?? Look at the CAW and what they did to GM. When times are good, go for the money. But times are bad and people need the service. Be thankful you have a job. How big of a raise would you need to cover the wages you lost in the last month?

U of O student
It is absolutely a great idea for both sides to be at the table. It is very important to communicate fluently instead of holding emotions back. That way will help make bus strike ends much sooner. Also, it is the best idea to focus most on topic of scheduling problems instead of better deals (contract). Solving schedule problems will make strike end even sooner. Please don't screw it!!!

Ralphi
I don't think there is any reason for federal government intervention. The union has already been offered a wonderful deal in such bad economic times. The mayor should make their salaries available to the public through the media for the public to make informed decisions. I support the mayor 100 percent. A similar incident happened in Norway, when pilots went on strike, but when their salaries were made available to the public they realized the pilots were even making more money than the prime minister and therefore they could not justify their claims and the strike broke down.

ENOF ALREADY!!
Enof already, lets get this done. However, stay the course, do not give in. I for one am inconvenienced like many others, but will glady keep doing what I am doing (carpooling, yes I'm a lucky one) as long as we stick to our guns. No one should have the right to create their own schedule and STEAL (our taxes) from the hardworking citizens by affording themselves overtime to a ridiculous extent. Not to mention to be paid for time not worked. As if.........

Jayme
I just heard someone say we should look at cutting our police funds.I find it amazing people put oc drivers over police just amazing.

J
I bet that the vast majority of the people saying "Stick it to your guns" have never or almost never used OC Transpo. I think councillors should give more weight on feedback from those that rely on OC Transpo particularly students, seniors and people who are strained financially.

sue in kanata
This strike has to end! My husband is looking for work and needs the bus to get to interviews. And there are a lot of people who are suffering worse than us. Find a solution!

Maya Roy
IN A MARKET ECONOMY SUCH AS OUR OWN, (PUBLIC)TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE. IF THIS WERE A "THIRD WORLD" COUNTRY, ALL THE DRIVERS WOULD BE FIRED AND REPLACED WITH NEW STAFF. THESE DRIVERS DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD THEY HAVE IT! PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN DRIVING A CAR. PERHAPS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS STRIKE AND GIVE THE DRIVERS A LITTLE MORE RESPECT.

Kevin
Yes, start talking.

But no, do not cave in to the union.

And when this is all settled, take away the right of monopoly public-sector transit workers to ever go on strike again.

sara j- ottawa
Finally! its about time a 3rd party intervened. OC transpo has no right to hold the city hostage for as long as they want. they need to be set straight and get back to work. its the city who are the real casualties of this dispute.

Joe from Prescott (Former Ottawa Resident)
Finally, maybe a third party can get something accomplished. Of course, it requires that both sides be willing to listen to what that arbitrator says. From what I've seen, there is room fo doubt.

I would suggest that the city allow the union members to set their own shifts, but within safety limits. No more double shifting. Likely, that would prevent senior employees from booking six hour shifts and getting paid for eight. Everyone would be safe, but senior drivers would still get pick of the shifts.

Send Larry home
Put distance between the mayor and the negotiations would seem a good starting point -- the mayor has pushed a simple dispute into a raging fire, voiced inflamatory and provocative rhetoric ...

thefinalinsult
So ya, where is the union? Didn't they call for the Mayor to return to the table?

Just more hypocracy by our trusty ATU

CL
I am fed up with this strike have not been able to go out since the strike cant see my family litterally going nuts lol!!! but i sure hope the city doesnt give in to them there greedy and should be happy with the good paying job that they have they all make me sick

Jonas K, Transit user/student
I'm glad the rest of the city is finally where I was 2 weeks ago.

I kept e-mailing/calling the Mayor and my Ward member to say: "Get it done."

I have been appalled at the total lack of leadership coming out of City Hall on this issue. I truly don't understand why it took 9 days after the strike began to hold a meeting on the issue, and why it's taking another days after the vote to meet again. Why are they not meeting on a more regular basis, once or twice weekly?

I've drawn the conclusion that the City doesn't care about this issue, my responses from my Ward member have been mere regurgitated sound-bites.

I see no evidence that the City is reacting with the urgency this situation warrants.

kp.
I think most of the drivers rejected the offer just because they were mad about being forced to vote. If the city gives in now, all the hardship that the citizens have endured will have all been in vain.

I agree with Rainer Bloess, they should come to an agreement with out giving up everything and basically rewarding the ATU for throwing a temper tantrum at the very worst time.

marerahappy
All these non-leader people is just blah-blah-blah. -Obviously, none of them is suffering the strike because they all have nice cars. Put them in the position of the people with no access to a vehicle and they will be moving faster and more efficiently in order to end the strike asap. BTW, I still have no idea how I'll get to my job tomorrow afternoon. I'll try to give away my shift, since paying for other transportation makes going to work pointless.

will union go back to table??
it sounds as though the city is willing to talk but the union is not unless the scheduling thing is out of the picture, ie the city will agree control of it remains with the union. that is a ridiculous position. I am not sure city council has handled this as well as they could have but on the other hand, the union cannot continue to remain unreasonable. many citizens are now saying that the offer should be put back on the table with the 2.5k bonus removed. after all why reward drivers for putting everyone through this misery and costing alot of us money for gas and parking, some of even who are continuing to pay up front for ECO passes through our payroll deductions. how long do they have to be out before they can all be fired and replaced, that is what I would seriously like to know. if they are out for two months that is what should happen because this is absolutely ridiculous, this stubborn and selfish stand. no one is on your side guys. after all it is not city council refusing to drive the buses. you could have done this SO differently and worked something out. Oc will never recover from this, never. you have lost alot of riders who had to find other options. two weeks of this would have made a point. holding out this long is just torturing everyone and damaging the local economy.

Alan
Whoever thinks the city is saving 3 million a week with this strike is sorely forgetting that the decreased ridership we will see once the strike is over will negate any savings seen now. Our property taxes may see a slight rebate by Goodwill Larry, but the next year we will pay it back as we have to cover the OC Transpo defecit from lack of ridership for the next 1-3 years, depending on how soon the public forgets what the city and union put us through for over 34 days.

OC Transpo should have arranged for replacement drivers for the 90 series of buses since Day 2, and protected them from the union picketeers for the length of the strike. The best method of stopping a beligerent union is to take away the pain they are able to cause to the services they provide. With downtown buses and cross city service, the city would not be so poorly off right now.

Mayor O'Brien, I voted for you, but I will not vote for you again, based upon your handling of this strike. God help us all if the garbage collectors go on strike during O'Brien's tenure.

Melanie, Ottawa
It is my opinion that the citizens of Ottawa who have been hurt by this bus strike; the ones who have been financially devastated, should be able band together and file a class-action lawsuit against the union and if need be, the city for damages. Too bad that this is not a legal maneouvre open to them.

Northern Boy
UNIONS WORK TO RULE! GO UNIONS GO!

I SUPPORT ALL UNIONS, SO STICK TO THE PLAN PEOPLE, DONT GIVE IN.

AND FOR ALL THE OTHERS WHO WINE, TO BAD, SO SAD. THATS LIFE, TOUGH, SO SUCK IT UP!

MAYBE IF YOU WORKED FOR A UNION THEN YOU MAKE GOOD MONEY TOO AND HAVE WORK PLACE RIGHTS!

UNION TILL I DIE, ALL 100+ G A YEAR!

marie ott
to J, alot of people who dont want the Mayor to cave DO use OC. pretty much anyone who works downtown does. if there are comments on here it is pretty clear it would be by people who are affected. however we are also property owners and know that this impacts our property taxes. plus the fact that caving to these morons with their unreasonable selfish demands is just wrong. by that logic whatever anyone asks for they should get, in negotiations and I am pretty sure that is not the case. tell me one industry, even one, where employees get to dictate the schedule they work and get to pad it with extra hours for themselves. that is abuse and it needs to be stopped!!

Jayme
To J
I understand your point.But the city should listen to everyone who pays taxs not just those who take the bus.

Laura - West End
I'm glad they are getting a 3rd party in there to try and sort out this mess. Something *has* to be done, and soon.

To J - Personally, I am utterly reliant on the public transit system. I don't drive and couldn't afford a car even if I wanted one. I was *extremely* lucky to find a ride with a coworker so that I can keep getting paid, but my roommate is stranded at home, unable to get a job because she can't travel to interviews. Regardless, we both say "Stick to your guns!" The offer on the table is more than fair, especially in the face of a recession. The drivers need to get over themselves and get back to work.

Whatever they need to do, the city must find a way to end this hostage situation. Traffic is insane, the extra cars on the road are NOT environmentally friendly and students, seniors and low-income families need to get their transportation back!

Joanne
I am fed up with both sides! I am a low income earner and I depeand on the bus 100% , and I am sick of being held hostage by the city and the union!!!
I want my life back!

Get this done!

Carleton Student
The biggest problem is that the City is fighting to NOT have OC Transpo declared essential. On yesterday's CTV article it was reported that the city's solicitor wrote a letter to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to say that the OC Strike is not a threat to the health and safety of the citizens of Ottawa and therefore OC Transpo should not be made essential.

I, along with most other Ottawans disagree. OC Transpo strike is a threat to the health and safety of Ottawa Citizens.

MAKE OC TRANSPO ESSENTIAL NOW!

cant believe it from ottawa
I can't believe the City is telling the Canada Industrial Relations Board that OC transpo is NOT an essential service?!? Here's an excerpt from the CTV.ca website on Friday....

" In a Friday letter to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the city's solicitor argued the strike has not compromised the public's health and safety to such a degree that warrants essential service designation under the federal labour code. "

Why are they doing this? Would it not end the strike and put buses back on the road? Does the city not want this strike to end?

Algonquin College student
enough is enough. we need the buses back now, stop putting things off and actually do something about it.

Carmen
I really feel that OC Transpo is being unreasonable. With the economic crisis, I believe they are being very selfish to ask for more than what they already have. Bus drivers make a lot of money, even more than people who have gone to college/university. I think one of the reasons for why they make so much money is because of the "undesirable" schedualing. Really they are lucky to have a job. I am sure if they were all fired, replacements would be found easily. I hear over and over again that it's not about the money that it's the schedualing. But what they want will end up costing the city a lot of money. I am surprised at how these people can be so selfish!

PA Ottawa
Typical freaking ATU. They won't even meet with the mediator on Monday and scream out that it's the city's fault for the strike and accuse the mayor of wanting this strike.

Bus operators, what do you think you're getting here. It's been 30 days and look,it's sucks for all of us but the city has not imploded. And it won't. At least meet with the mediators, otherwise, i agree, liquidate OC and start from scrtach. Evenif it takes 6 mothns, but we will be better with all of you laid off. Good luck getting another job with all the "skills" you guys have!

joyce
J your statement is incorrect. I am a regular user of OC and I am financially strained, I back the Mayor 100%. In these economic times the drivers are lucky to have a job with paid benefits.

zgh zghu
immediate actions:
[1] OTrain to start as to tomrrow by managers
[2] Yellow School Bus service to expand to all schools ASAP
[3] Shuttle bus services from Park-Rides to downtown $5.0

Resident of Ottawa
I can't beleive what I'm reading. Like bus drivers are selfish and Larry don't give in. Well let's clarify something, it's not only bus drivers that are on strike, other OC workers are on strike as well. And again it's not about the money... It's about scheduling and contracting out. Why not look at the city of Ottawa and what they are doing to this City. The Mayor doesn't care about the Ottawans, as long as he saves enough money to cover the big error he made in the budget he's happy. He's self serving and that's it. He didn't have any problems giving himself and his council huge raises or Mr. Mercier for that matter. I just find this unbeleivable, we should stand behind our drivers not against them. Or at least get the true facts. And I think only then when the Ottawan's are behind their drivers will real progress begin.

Debbie
As a single mom I am finding this strike very difficult both from a schedule and financial perspective. Daycare doesn't open until 7 and free parking is gone by the time I get downtown. That leaves me with $15/day parking rates!

I've tried to carpool but can't find anyone willing to leave Orleans after 7:15 (and I can't blame them - the traffic is insane).

I would encourage my fellow citizens with vehicles to extend a ride to your colleagues - register on ottawaridematch.com . I still see far too many single passenger vehicles on the road.
This is a tough situation but let's help each other.

Lower the offer...
Offer the union less and less each week they hold out.

It is time the union look at everyone else losing their jobs or accepting pay freezes in this bad economic time.

Why do they feel they deserve more than everyone else. Maybe it is time to outsource this service?

Cliffd
DO SOMETHING
Even it's just this...
Call Bylaw Enforcement at
3-1-1 or 613-580-2400.
A large group of cars are being parked everyday on both sides of Belfast Road near St Laurent Blvd. This is dangerous for all due to heavy traffic and large trucks.
There are also open air fires in burn drums in that area which appear to be fueled by garabge, pressure treated wood and flammable liquid.
If a lot of calls of received, Bylaw Enforcement must act.

Tax Payer
I find that the bus drivers are a bit too greedy when it comes to this situation. I'll become a bus driver for what they have been offered.. But Canada laws dictate that employers cannot replace crazy union workers while they are on strike.... I think in this situation they should find a way to fire them all... Especially that Union leader.

Lisa Copeland
What a punch of crap this 34 day old strike is.........The transit system is a very large part of the enfastructure.I think these workers should not be aloud to strike period.What's next cops,hospitals...We all need to get a grip...these aren't the best of times.We all take a lose in some form or another and keep moving forward.Not in this case.......It's like the hole side of a mountain just went missing and nobody cares about all the inconveniences this is causing.

Daily Bus Rider
If they want to get paid for the time between split shifts then why not make them do some work during that time. Many of the busses are not operating during that time. Grab a mop and a rag and clean the busses, something. But to get paid for a three hour lunch? Nonsense!

By the way, I find driving to work more convenient and faster but it is not the right thing to do. I ride the bus because we should.

Warm on the job
The temperature is supposed to go to -25ºC by the end of the week. I want to see every striking OC Transpo Employee out on the picket line on those days...

Jason Cav
This isn't union related, but they're raising the bus pricing again. Seeing that ad while the buses are on strike make me really consider getting a car.

Marcos Magalhaes
I'm glad to learn that a federal mediator will be meeting with both parties.

Just like in hockey salary disputes an unbiased arbitrator appointed the mediator (and accepted by both parties) should put the hammer down on this strike for once and for all.

Adam White
What is going on with the ATU is just the tip of the iceberg, the symptom of a still greater disease. Mark my words, 2009-2010 are the years of the Union. Unions in these harsh economic times are going to become more vocal and aggressive as they try to shelter themselves from the reality we all face. We are going to see massive national even continental strikes of all sorts of unions who will fight against the cost-cutting measures that businesses will inevitably be required to do to stay alive. Union are going to die because the businesses that are forced to use them will die since they won't have the flexibility they should. I hear the argument all the time that since employers have such bargaining power that we need unions as a counterbalance. Rubbish, a union is first of all a non-voluntary coercive organization, a firm that is unfortunate enough to have unions has no choice but to get their labour thru the unions, while labour has all the choice in the world to choose who they want to work for. See the problem? Unions cause unemployment, lower wages for non-union labour, hamper progress in technology that could threaten jobs of a particular industry (while always making more in others, thats how progress works), and they are corruptible institutions that often carry too much political clout. Larry, don't give in, hire scabs and let the union rot on the vine.

Privatize and deam the STO an essential service.
How can the city give a pay increase when they run a deficit evey year. The STO loses money every year and is subsidized with our money and they still want more. Privatize the STO and deam it an essential service so they can't strike and have to do the job we pay them to do. Besides with over time alot of these drivers make over $100 000 a year. Dam good pay to sit on your *** all day.Fire and Rehire at half the salary. It would still be dam good pay

a concerned rider
oc transpo has put our city out for long enough. at first they may have said it wasnt about the money, but what about now? now they are just being greedy about what they want. also the strikers are inconviniencing everyone, they are blocking cars and they are blocking the shuttle buses that universities have paid for, i know for sure that a friend of mine was late for an exam because of them. just because they are not driving doesnt give them the right to stop other drivers that they have obviously inconvinienced on the road. i myself have not been to school since this strike has started and i am definetly getting fed up with it. once this strike is over, the city should make oc an essential service so that they cant do this to us again.

Manic Mechanic
Don't give up Larry,keep spending 1200 a day for Gordon J. Hunter, (who briefly served as the mayor's campaign manager)to total 80,000 for 4 months "Hard Work" from the tax payers pocket that's OK,but please don't give in to OC Transpo.
Go Larry Go
I wonder if Gordon J. Hunter Got his money in a envelop ?

Disrespect for the working man ...
Burrows wants to blame the auto workers for GM's problems -- the cost of an automobile is 10% labour wages, 10% management fees, 30% marketing and advertising, 30% materials & roughly 20% for the retail sector. Seems a bit desperate then to 'blame' the workers for the strive in the auto industry. But if it is one thing these comments indicate, it is that there is no shortage of opinion unaffected by such details as 'facts'. A bit hostile to accuse the working man of wrecking the economy, no?

Jessica
I make just above minimum wage and my taxi fare to work sometimes exceeds the amount of money I make in a day. This is ridiculous. I have been walking when I can but it takes over an hour and it is only getting colder outside. Please settle this. Taxifare @ $40 per day X 5 days a week = $800 per month. I can't live like this much longer.

Bilal Hassan
i cant wait for the day the buses come back ! i cant wait to hear what all the people have to say to the drivers ! the drivers are gona be so scared coz people are not forgiving!
75%

dreamweaver
sara j - ottawa wrote:

"Finally! Its about time a 3rd party intervened."

-----------

Just a point of clarification, a mediator had been involved in the talks leading up to the strike on December 23. If the city does not take the scheduling issue off the table, I can't imagine this mediator being any more successful than the previous one.

That being said, if, at this late date, the city agrees to take the schedule off the table (for discussion at a later date, as was recommended by the previous mediator), I think that the citizens of this city should be calling for Larry O'Brien's resignation! While I have found the tactics and unreasonableness of the union to be beyond annoying, the mayor's do-nothing attitude has been appalling! He is not fit for public office!!!

Denis
I wish Larry O’Brien and André Cornellier be kidnapped by Aliens and replaced by Clones with some kind of brains….

Me
This strike would be over tommorow if:

A-Leave the scheduling the way it is as it has been for ten years!

B-Modest pay raises and remove the 2500$ bribe

C-Sick and family days in parity to supervisors and admin staff,,,
Now THAT'S respect!

jacc
hmmm, maybe just maybe people are appreciating having our bus service? it would appear to be a very valuable service to our city and thus i believe should be treated with the respect and dignity it deserves...like the sceduling issue, like the seniority of 20,25,30 year drivers being respected. a lot of us are in other unions for other jobs and we absolutely have to stick together, that's how we've managed to get anywhere.

Julie
Bus drivers arn't being greedy read between all the lines, most us work plit shifts and knew that when we were hired. but on 12 hours or less spreads not 13-14 hour spreads and I make 8 hours on the 12 1/2 spread I do now. New scheduals 13-14 hours to make 7 hours pay not the eight. really is that fair. I am human to and have a family, the public is suffering and we also want to get back to work. Ater the 75% vote the union asked to go back to the table, mayor reponse we have a meeting on wed. Only later he called the mediator to meet on Mon. Than said he dosn't know if the union would go back to the table after the union already asked to go back and it was on the union who was on the news asking to go back. The city saves 3 million weekly, after the no vote he say's they have to lay 60 people off. (think about it). And the public should recieve money back for there pass. The didn't recieve the service the mayor isn't doing it out of his heart. When the mayor was asked on the news in a interview is the booking was of the table ,anyways he couldn't even answer the question. Ask youe self does the mayor really want the trike to be over, he isn't really working to resolve the issues because they save money. while the public suffers.

Y
How this strike is going on sounds Unbelievable!!! I’m not from Canada and I v been here for 2 years now. I have never imagined that I will see a strike like this!! If I were back home and someone told me about that, I won’t believe that it s happening in the national capital of Canada !!! Even in 3d country governments react quickly and efficiently so that no one plays with people life!! Even if the transit system is a private one the government make a real pressure to make sure that people do their business and get around the city!! The government could have reacted more efficiently and quickly and not wasting people time!!...In my opinion the scheduling should be given to the city!! At the end Oc drivers and the rest are the employees and the city is the boss!! And if they don’t like this, they can find another job . Finally, For sure it s you’re right to strike! But going on strike for an extended period like what you r doing now! i don’t think this is right !!! If some people sue the union the court will give the right to poor people who were hurt by your greedy behavior

Nora- transit rider
I think it's important to point out that the union presented a compromise to the city, I believe it was Christmas Eve, and the city said they liked most of the deal, but didn't like how long it would take to implement some of their proposals. So what was their counter off? The exact same contract deal the drivers had voted strike over in the first place.
It's time for people to realize that this strike has everything to do with the mayor taking and anti-union stance from the moment he was elected, not bus driver greed. Unfortunately they were just the first ones who were put in a position in which they needed to stand up to the bully and crook of a mayor our city has.

TC
What is the problem here, so many comments about bad, bad bus drivers - greedy, selfish drivers, Bad ATU-a mayor and council that cannot find a solution if it hit them in the face. The bottom line - money the city wants only to spend so much on transit - so that's that - ATU needs to schedule their drivers for the life of the contract with this much money - do it... Think outside the box Mr. Mayor why do you need so much control - in the end it is about money is it not? Get it done already - How can a city continue to justify a transit plan with no riders ? What's more important here people - Stop making it such a tug of war for CONTROL - Find a way with these dollars ATU.

man without a chauffeur
This is getting silly. Adults throwing tantrums, i remember when i was a kid and did stuff like that, someone told me to smarten up. So I say this to you kids SMARTEN UP!

Come on O'Brien, run this city like a business and bust that union, i need to get to work.

Mass transit should be free btw, transit for the masses either wealthy or not.

you owe me $40 for December

Julie
TO THE DAILY BUS RIDER
see this is have the problem the public only hears what it wants, We never said that we wanted to get paid for the time in between the shifts get your faces staight. I am so sick of hearing that the drivers are greedy and stupid and un educated. We all have grade 12 or more. And you think that the mayor is going to give us tax breaks, when this is all over reallity people and fares will go up. like other people with common sense that right in nows what I am talking about. For the public I truly feel for you and the suffering that you are going through I have no pay check and I don't think it is fair for me to look for another job and use that job for 2 or 3 weeks until the strike is over and yes I am a drive and love my job and passangers.

Bass3rd
the temparature will hit -20-22 in the next few days,,,Hit the driver's right back for the hardship they have caused this city,,,go ticket their cars parked alongside belfast road,,,and put out their open air fire they have going with toxic materials stinking up the air. they decided to walk in this weather, well let them freeze.

K. Lowe
For all of you who are whining that OC Transpo (ATU) is not at the mediation table. The Federal Mediator is meeting with each group individually before bringing the sides together. Today was the City's turn, and the ATU will be next. Nobody (as of yet) has walked away from the table.

Outraged
This is from the Ontario Public sector salary disclosure of 2007.

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/publications/salarydisclosure/2007/munic07.html

City of Ottawa DESORMEAUX FRANCINE L. Bus Operator $129,999.97 $0.00

In what world is it reasonable for a bus driver to make $130 000 a year?

And of course this strike is about scheduling and not money.

I rely on transit daily for my commute, and I don't want the city to budge a bit on this.

A Volunteer
I do not own a car and the place I want to start volunteering at is about 30 minutes walk away. I would rather spend the hour of walking, volunteering. Not owning a car,going in directions where carpools are not going and not making enough money for taxi cabs, is making a lot of people like myself, who volunteer their time to support community services, make things quite difficult. The government needs to step in because this is not an issue with the bus service, this is an issue with a lot of community services, economy, education etc.

So, lets start talking and get the buses on the road. This has been is too much and for too long.

Manic Mechanic
To 'Warm on the job'
Blue collar workers are not easily scared by the cold.
I work outside every winter,starting buses and what not.
-25 so what, that's like Florida to us.

So stay in side and keep warm.

L.Hamilton
I would just like to say that the citizens of Ottawa are not stupid, uniformed individuals that many of the people using this blog have said. They are expressing their opinions on here because goodness knows the government isn't listening! Do you think they are lying about the hardships they are facing? Lets have some compassion people! As far as I'm concerned, the government should have had contingency plans in place in case such an event occured. We are not living in the stone ages. And now they don't even care about their own citizens! Shame on them. Things could have run smoother in the event of a strike, but now the government expects the citizens to fend for themselves while they sit back a go "duh" we didn't know. Be ready for anything!!, and don't blame the citizens for your mistakes.

Jon Cagerr
Dan, I 100% totally agree with you. There are so many people I know who agree with what you said as well. You know especially during this type of economic recession, having a job is great. So I say replace all those greedy bus drivers who are listening to their greedy union leader. Remember, the people on strike don't get paid full right now, they are getting strike pay. While the union leader is getting normal as usual paychecks. He is using you bus drivers as leverage because he has nothing better to do. Now the bus drivers are listening. I can't believe this. You know how many people would like a job like driving the bus for that much money they are getting. They don't even need to complete university or college courses to drive a bus.

Bus drivers et al, if you don't like the job you are doing now, quit and find yourself a 9-5 job at wal mart or some place else. If you still want to be bus drivers, then drive, this is your job. YOU CHOOSE IT, stick with it or get out!
There are many people without jobs that will train and take your job!!!

Jon Cagerr
Dan, I 100% totally agree with you. There are so many people I know who agree with what you said as well. You know especially during this type of economic recession, having a job is great. So I say replace all those greedy bus drivers who are listening to their greedy union leader. Remember, the people on strike don't get paid full right now, they are getting strike pay. While the union leader is getting normal as usual paychecks. He is using you bus drivers as leverage because he has nothing better to do. Now the bus drivers are listening. I can't believe this. You know how many people would like a job like driving the bus for that much money they are getting. They don't even need to complete university or college courses to drive a bus.

Bus drivers et al, if you don't like the job you are doing now, quit and find yourself a 9-5 job at wal mart or some place else. If you still want to be bus drivers, then drive, this is your job. YOU CHOOSE IT, stick with it or get out!
There are many people without jobs that will train and take your job!!!

Former OC bus rider
Northern Boy,

I have worked before at establishment that has unions. I can complained about those unions that look out for there interest and does not consider the true impact of there actions. Some of tehuniosn I have work do work for you, some don't. Right now, I am fortunate enough to have my own transportation even if it is costing me more in the past month to drive then ride the bus. I am also making more $$ then when I was in a job that has a local union.

L.Hamilton
And Debbie, single Mom, I sympathize with you, because my daycare doesn't open until 7:00 either!!

Focus on solutions
I am dependent on transit and I feel the city has put too little energy into resolving the strike and has instead focused on spin and on encouraging people to be angry at the drivers. Also, the city's attempt to turn the union on itself through a forced vote was an obviously dead end tactic. It's also unfortunate that the union has such bad p.r., as I think the lack of compassion toward the public that the statements have shown has turned public sentiment against drivers and help prolong the strike because that way people are telling the city to stick to their guns instead of of pressuring the city to get the buses moving again. The bottom line is we need transit every day of every month of every year, the strike needs resolution and transit should be an essential service going forward. Citizens and businesses being hurt by this need it to be over, and need it to be prevented in the future.

contingency plans with my money?
The $$ "saved" by the transit strike MUST be repaid to those that have forked over the cash. Property owners have no choice but to pay for this service, and obviously, the service is not being delivered. Take coins out of other revenue sources to pay for additional taxi, para transpo (wasnt para tranpo sufficient before), but give the $$ back to those who pay, it was not intended to pay for other things. Refunds should be available to all monthly and yearly pass holders as well (as I understand that is now reality).

Stop ****** around, make it #1, get it fixed!

O
SIMPLE - FIRE THESE BUS DRIVERS!!

And, for those people who have lost jobs because of the strike... hire them with, of course, the same salary as what these drivers get. Who would complain! It's outrageous what they get!!

Andrew
Bad negotiation back in 1999, when they gave up scheduling power, is hurting us now. Do NOT leave another bad example, which will spoil the drivers and result another strike in very near future again. They do not deserve that much raise.

G.Move
The city is not going to make them an essential service, when they wont even make Paramedic an essential service.

Michelle
People seem to think that making the buses an essential service will simply prevent strikes and problem solved. It is not quite that simple. Declaring them essential will give them far more powers when negotiating contracts and will ensure that we pay extremely high costs for operating buses. It is NOT the answer. What we need is new legislation that makes striking illegal period. The days of allowing people to hold the city hostage for personal gain should come to an end. There are other ways to negotiate fair contracts.

cody
How typical of the union, critisize the city for "negotiating though the media" one day and the very next day send letters to each city councillor wanting to meet privately to discuss the scheduling issue with them privately! How inappropriate is this? I think everyone shold grow up and get back to the table. Working a split shift does NOT entitle one to get paid while they are not working. As a waiter I had many split shifts and got paid for the hours I worked and nothing more. Doctor, nurses etc also work split shifts and do not get paid for hours not worked so get over yourselves drivers. I want this resolved but you have to get real.

chris
I assume that the previous ridiculous contract offer is off the table.. It was a good offer drivers. Too bad you are too brain washed to see that..
When you are still out in the spring and people are cycling you will reemember back to this..

Matt
I hope this whole situation is making people realise that the people getting voted in to run the city/country are NOT intelligent people. If we had half a brain running this city, and the transit union, we wouldn't have to worry about this. Money brings people to power, not intelligence, and it's about time something is down about that!

Jayme
Resident of Ottawa

The facts are the union wants the schedule plus a 9% pay raise.As if people stod behind the drivers porgress would be made it may but i doubt it.You have to understand the union has showed a lack of respect to the public.If they showed a bit of respect they may have more support.

kazrules2009
I feel bad for all those that lost their jobs!! That is so wrong!! Sad thing is OC doesn't really care about all those people suffering because of their greed.They are all laughing, 75% of em. It's very sad. All of Canada knows what kind of ******** we have as bus drivers.It's an embarrassment and a disgrace to the Nations Capital and I am surprised it was let to go this far.

Brian
Don't give into them, leave them out for another month. When they start losing their homes and cars, then they will want to go back to work. They should be able to live on $75.00 bucks a week, after all didn't the union leader say it wasn't about MONEY now he says it is, this guy is a JERK!

Steve
As a resident of Ottawa, I pay transportation tax that contributes to those OC Transpo drivers' salaries. The city should not give in to the union demands. At first, the union said it was all about the schedule; today they admitted that it is back to the common theme - it is the money. If the city gives in today, where will it end? Next contract renewal with the union will center around the same issues and ultimately will result in unacceptable city tax increases. The union is out to protect themselves not the interest of the residents - It's about time that the City of Ottawa and the councillors take action.

We should commercialize our public transportation system similar to that of Quebec City, which will make the transportation more efficient and always an essential service.

Mike Burns
I say screw them all and go private sector. Fire their sorry *****.

julie
everone please go here and read this
http://www.yournepean.com/article/9304#TopOfPage.

ex oc rider.
another meeting after another meeting whats going on ottawa dont u think this is it,34 days and counting are we ever gona do enything about this or wat. we cant have these guys run our lifes for us.Mayor Larry O'Brien u are the worst mayor i have ever known,i'm from toronto and we had a strike some years back and gusse wat the strike lost about a 2 weeks not even, so u are not doing ur job rite couse if u were the ******* strike whould not last 34 days. i think is time for u to step dawn, u can't let us wait and wait for another meeting that u know is not going to resolve anything, as a mayor u should put the citizens of ottawa 1st. but u want to play cards with these morans and gusse wat i think u should step down.........

*Cielle*
Did those bus drivers ever stop and think that in most jobs existing today, one doesn't get to plan their own schedule?! I know if I tried to tell my boss when I could and could not work, and tried to make my company work around me, I'd be out of a job, simple as that. so suck it up OC Transpo drivers and get back to "work"!!

Help us!
Check this out.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Mayor+consultant+paid/1167244/story.html

Union/OC transpo/City of ottawa. Please get our transit back on track. Make it essential service.

GET A CLUE PEOPLE
How clueless are you people? Why do you think the city does not want OC declared essential? If they make it essential an arbribtator will be appointed and we will be ordered back to work. An arbritrator will tell Loser Larry that his change to scheduling is unfair and get rid of it. He will give us the minimum raise and add two sick days and the strike will be over. Just like we have been asking since the beginning. But if this had been done in the beginning as advised by the mediator, Larry would not have saved all of the money he has saved. He could give a crap about the public.You guys just keep telling him what a good job he is doing and we will see you in March. By then we will have lost most customers and we will have nice quiet days of work. So keep up the good work public.

uOttawa Student
I don't see how the drivers are greedy. People don't seem to understand that these bus drivers have been accustomed to this system for the past 10 years. I've been equally affected by the strike as everyone else. I think the city is to blame. The only reason why everyone is whining and complaining about the drivers because you are paying the price for this. Had it been another kind of service not affecting your life, you couldn't have cared less. How would you feel if someone decided to completely change the way you work from one day to the next, I'm pretty sure you would go out there and protest, there is no doubt, you would be defending your job just as much as these drivers are defending it right now. Now obviously the loop-holes that allow people to take advantage of the system should be ironed out. And if this is not all about the money, than why can't the city remove the bonus and leave the scheduling intact. I just believe Larry O'Brian doesn't want to lose and that is all, he's set his mind to something and doesn't take the public into consideration. These OC bus drivers have families to feed as well, they have it worse that most of you, these guys don't have a job WALK to. And those complaining about being low income, do something about it.

LEE
HEY LARRY!LET'S CLEAR THE AIR.DID YOU AND COUNCIL GET A RAISE INCLUDING MERCIER ($18,000.00) PER YEAR.LARRY I AGREE WITH YOU ON OC TRANSPO STRIKE AND I HOPE YOU STAY THE COURSE BUT IF YOU ALL GOT THOSE RAISES I THINK YOU SHOULD ALL SHOW BY EXAMPLE AND GIVE THEM BACK.I WOULD REALLY LIKE AN ANSWER ON THIS ONE AND I BET OTTAWA TAX PAYERS WOULD ALSO LIKE ONE SO PLEASE DON'T IGNORE THIS AND ANSWER THIS.I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SEND THIS DIRECTLY TO MR O'BRIEN BUT IF SOMEONE COULD I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.THANKS.

MORE WAITING! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Well, now the Mayor will wait, yet another 2 days, before meeting! Like whats up with having to always wait another day or 2 days or a week??? Why not meet now, get buses back on the road, if drivers refuse to go back to work? Fire them! At least accomplish something! Why have buses not been ruled essential yet? What do the goverment do in meetings? Have a doughnut, cup of coffee, talk about weather, and say, ok, lets all meet up in another 2 days??? Why all this waiting?? Its getting more than annoying, its getting people angry! What a laugh the city of Ottawa has become! 35 days later, and STILL buses are on strike, and people are stranded, losing their jobs, etc.. Something should have been done yesterday, not in a few more days! Im going to bust a vain from all this frustration! A child could run the city of Ottawa better than this. Stop with the waiting, get on with the solution!

Fed Up
Prior to the strike, the average OC Transpo driver earned more annually than the average Nurse in Ontario. I, for one, am glad we're rewarding mediocrity. It makes a lot of sense that bus drivers earn more than those individuals in hospitals who save our lives, especially since they...umm...drive us places, and...umm...have to...umm...drive all day. WHY THE HELL ARE WE DEALING WITH THIS INSANITY?!!!! Scrap the whole program, hire new drivers who are employees of the city rather than a private organization, and get this city back on it's feet. And no raise. They don't deserve what they're making now, so why give them more?

CJ-Boycot OCTranspo
My new years resolution is NO MORE OCTRANSPO

Save a Seal Club an OCtranspo Driver

Carly
Open Fires are not permitted, let them freeze.

Sarah
I would first off like to say The union is only good for lazy people like you and like to do nothing for something. I on the other hand had to work for eveydollar I made. I now have no job becuase of this strike, now both my children go without.....how is that far. I agree with everyone who says stick it out. I relied on the buses and they let me down. This tantrum has to stop, my 2 year old doesnt even act like this. Dont let them win. Im willing to hold out, so should the city.

OC Rider
Life has become very stressful for everybody specially those who rely solely on OC Transport.Both parties,please come to a solution as soon as possible and get the bus back on the road to end this misery.

Steve from Orleans
To Striking OC Employee's the city can hold out longer than you!

The workers at the Maple Leaf Plant in Edmonton a few years ago were determined to beat Maple Leaf into the ground and win. Maple Leaf closed and moved to Brandon, so did many of the unemployed workers. They got their jobs back at lower pay.

You to can be replaced, go back to work and fight while providing a service to the people of Ottawa and I'll bet you'll get some respect back!

Mark
It boggles to mind that people can be so selfish. I don't care who is right or who is wrong in this strike dispute, the fact is people are suffering, and the union picked the absolute worst time of the year so that it would affect us all. People who own cars or do not depend on public transit to get around do not understand how difficult it is to get to work or school or wherever you have to be. I have to walk an hour and a half to get to work, and then have to walk back in the blistering cold at 2-3 am, and I have it easy compared to some other people. I have so far spent almost 200$ on cab fare and cannot afford to keep doing so, is OC Transpo going to pay me back for that? No. If you ask me, every single bus driver should be fired, and rehired only on the premise that they accept whatever scheduling they are given for the time being until an agreement can be reached. I understand a strike for a week or two, but 34 days? This just goes to show how ineffective our government has become. This whole situation has made me lose my faith in the goodness of man, and I personally do not envy the bus drivers because once they get back to work, they will have hell to pay from a city full of disgruntled commuters. Have fun drivers, I will be seeing you shortly. And oh, by the way: I’m not paying to get on anymore, and neither should anyone else.

S. Douglas
Why would the residents of this city not be able to file a class-action suit? I have yet heard anything definitive about refunds (and I've been checking at retail outlets)?

Disappointed with ATU and the city
This has to be the most strike ever. 34 days and they aren't any closer then they were on day 1. I for one am in favor of the Mayor, we elect someone to run the city. The City management found a place where they could save money and I applaud them for trying. I wouldn't mind seeing this OC Transpo group shut down and restarted under a different name. These drivers always complain that people are rude to them and whatever else they say. I've seen and had this happened many times when the bus will drive right me or other people trying to get on. If you want respect then give respect as well. Why not work to rule instead of a full out strike? I myself haven't had a contract since December 2007 but you don't see us on strike.

Now onto the city, I can't believe that all these people with higher educations that we elect cannot come up with some kind of help to the people of Ottawa. After this long there should be some kind of plan in place. Why can't we have Yellow Buses located at all the different malls to get people into the downtown core thus relieving traffic.

I know 6 people that have already lost their jobs because they couldn't get back and forth to work and 3 others that have gotten extremely sick because they tried to walk in the cold for 3 hours to work and then 3 hours from work.

I for one will be going by OC and if I do see any fires or cars parked illegally I will be calling by-law and encourage others to do the same.

Carol
Next time they go on strike, they should have contingency plans in place *before* any strike begins - 34 days later is beyond ridiculous. I've had to look for rides here and there, or stay home without pay because my employer won't let me take work home (telework). If I could walk to work, I would. Downtown living is starting to look really good.

Mike
I'm a bus rider, well used to be. Now I have to spend my hard-earned cash to cab it to work.

Yes, it sucks, yes I'm tired and warned-out.. and YES I support the city %100.

It's kind of funny to read comments that try to sway the fault solely in the city's lap. Here's a small reminder to you folks....

The City is NOT on strike, OC Transpo is. This was NOT the city's decision, it was OC Transpo's decision!! If they didn't like their working conditions, all they had to do was look for another job. It's just that simple.

Now that that's cleared, I do agree with the comment left by "cant believe it from ottawa" - there is no reason, absolutely no reason, why a public transit system is not considered an essential service. Especially in these supposed "green friendly times". You thought global warming was a problem in November? we just added 33% more vehicles on the road...

and why?...

I'll just say it once more...

Because OC TRANSPO decided to strike!

UoO Student
Jeez, you'd think citizens would not just jump on the first bandwagon they see! I'm not enjoying this strike more than anyone else; I get up at 6 every morning and I'm home by 10pm if I'm lucky. But anyone with a head on their shoulders could clearly see that asking for a realistic work schedule, and realistic shifts (which mean the bus will be ON TIME and not LATE. Many pieces put together by the city make no sense time wise and causes certain routes to be late every single day...who gets the blame? The driver). For god's sake, instead of throwing insults around like a mindless idiot, do a little research!

Manjeet
What kind of world do we live in ?? We have a Transport Minister who happens to be from Ottawa but has not taken any initiative to bring the transit service back to the people who elected him. As for the city , why in the heavens name are you guys not willing to have the transit service being declared as essential? Is there anything that I fail to read in between the lines ? All of you guys need our votes .. So be prepared for a few surprises next time.

Lisa-Elaine
Get back to the table and negotiate through mutual compromise. All this stuff about sticking to your guns has gone on for long enough!!
WE WANT OUR BUS SERVICE RESTORED! I do not care about the nitty gritty of operator scheduling but rather at what time the next 95 will be scheduled?

HOW DO PEOPLE SHOW PROOF FOR REFUND??
Ok, one thing here, I 100% totaly agree that everyone who had to pay cab fares,or for carpooling? Should 100% for sure get a check from the goverment. But, what I dont understand is what about all the people that took a cab, and didnt get a reciept? What if the people who took cabs, werent living at home, because their home is too far away from work, and a cab would cost them a fortune, and these people had to stay with relatives, so they werent too far from work, and the cab fare wouldnt be a fortune, they wont have their home address's for proof, and what about the people who are car pooling? If they ask for a reciept? Isnt this a way for the goverment to say, you have to add this extra income,( money from car pooling ), on your incometax? Wouldnt it be easier for the goverment to check to see if the person has a drivers licence & a job? It would prove the person doesnt have a way to work, because they dont drive, and proves they do have a job! I would think that would be a little more intelligent, than saying they need proof that they took a cab! Who gets reciepts from cab drivers? Not usualy people who usualy take buses, & wouldnt think to get a reciept! Is this just another way for the goverment to keep the extra money they made from buses on strike,( which was reported on ctv they saved 3 million a week ), then say well we offered the money to the people who suffered during this strike? Knowing many wont have proof of taking cabs.IF A PERSON HAS NO DRIVERS LICENCE & THEY WORK? 80% TAKE A BUS. GIVE THE $$$$

PROVIDE PROOF TAKING A CAB? MESSED UP!!
I just emailed our mayor, and asked him how the heck are people going to provide proof they took a cab to work? These people, who took cabs? Spent a heck of allot of money from their hard earned paychecks, to pay for a cab to get to work, but now the goverment wants proof you took a cab? I guess, in other words? This means, the city will save allot of money, because people wont bother trying to get back some of the money the goverment is offering, because they would have to get proof! Well, here is a idea, and I think it is a excellent idea, maybe I should be mayor, lol, how about this? So the people who spent allot of their money on cabs to get to work? And therefore suffered greatly finanicaly, should 100% recieve a check from the goverment, since our tax dollars are being spent to provide us with affortable transportation, but was taken away from us, so therefore, all the people should need to collect some of this money? Is too prove they dont have a drivers licence, and they do have a job! And how about giving it to the people who dont make a huge salary, that would also prove these people cant afford a cab, they dont drive, so of course they would take a bus! Also, most folks keep their Dec bus pass, since they paid for it, and couldnt use it! So, that should be proof enough mr mayor! Dont go asking for the impossiable. I highly doubt taxi companys would go through all the extra work, and finding out who took taxis's last month and this month, finding their address's, etc.. So if your going to offer the money? then dont make it impossible for people

Angry Student
I want to spit on the bus drivers and the mayor. I got a parking fine of 80$ for parking on a "stop in no stopping zone". There was no sign that said you can't park. This is my first few time parking downtown. The greedy driver and the greedy city need to go to ****. If the city saved 3 million a week are we going to get any of it? Also the hassle of getting to or work is a pain!

Unions like the ATU are antiquated
What about all the abuse from the union? Why is the City not publishing this:
- mechanics using tools to fix their cars
- mechanics stealing scrap and reselling it
- mechanics bringing tools home
- bus drivers using the "uncertified sick leave" days as vacation ==> how many are actually left at the end of each year (sick leave should be certified)
- calling in sick at the last minute just to generate overtime for colleagues
- OC Transpo is NOT allowed to hire PART-TIME drivers. What a joke! Have you ever heard of any company with only full-time staff?
- Double to triple time on stat holidays
- They want enough time to recover between runs to take a break. What about people at GM, Ford or any other company with shifts, do they get breaks every hour?
- Lets compare their wages to Greyhound drivers or Yellow School bud drivers ==> Geez they make almost double!

M Despatis
Mr. Mayor,
Enough is enough the people who voted you in want their bus service back.If the bus drivers do not want to work I am willing to bet there are many unemployed who can drive would like to work. It is time for you to follow in the footsteps of President Regan when he fired all the air traffic controllers and hired those who wanted to work. Please put an end to this strike now.

Michel Leclerc
No matter how the strike ends, OC Transpo bus drivers have already earned themselves "pariah for life" status in this city. They have hurt so many people in so many walks of life during the walkout, they shouldn't be surprised if their passengers treat them like persona non grata for a very long time. So much for respect and dignity.

Cate in Ottawa
I hope the City's next offer is slashed by several percentage points with all scheduling the responsibility of management, not the workers.

The ATU needs to learn what it is to be real employees in the real world.

They've made life hell for so many people with their greed and their unreasonable demands. They were blocking people from entering City Hall, preventing many people from carrying out their day-to-day business and felt somehow *justified* in doing so. Puh-leeze.

Members of ATU who voted against the City's very generous offer: Stop whining. You knew what your job entailed and you can't now tell the citizens of Ottawa you didn't get a fair shake. You knew what you were facing, and you CHOSE to take that job. 13 hours shifts? I did those regularly and I had to work each and every one of those hours that I got paid for. I didn't get paid lunch breaks. I didn't get insurance through my work. I didn't get a cushy "sick leave" package.

Notice how I say "I didn't" instead of "I don't"? That's because I lost my job due to the strike.

ATU, are you going to pay my mortgage? Are you going to pay my hydro bill? No? Well, then you can't expect my support. The greedy drivers already make TWICE what I do, and their blind grasping for more, more, more has cost me my livelihood.

Tell you what, members of ATU... If you hate your job that much, quit and I'll take your place.

Toykykid
This is gone on long enough! I miss my friends and family and am UNABLE to even see them! 2300 OC workers on strike eh? Well get your **** outside IN THIS -25 THIS WEEK! You should have all been replaced LONG AGO!

Jayme
UoO Student

1)Ottawa was the only city in north america that the drivers controlled there schedule.

2)I beleave the alot of the drivers did not bash the public they would have more support.

To Jayme
1)Ottawa was the only city in north America that the drivers controlled there schedule.

YES, I AGREE, HOWEVER OTTAWA IS ALSO ONE OF THE ONLY MAJOR CITY'S THAT DOESN'T RECOGNISE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE...AND AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE NATIONAL'S CAPITAL SHOULD DEFINITELY BE !

James
Thanks to the OC Transpo members for striking when they did and losing the city $283 million dollars.... They could have gone on strike before or after the holiday period.

The Citizens of Ottawa are behind the city not the bus drivers and operators.

Rocky -
TO: GET A CLUE PEOPLE,

You write: "You guys just keep telling him (Larry) what a good job he is doing and we will see you in March. By then we will have lost most customers and we will have nice quiet days of work. So keep up the good work public."
Reality check for you. No more customers, and you'll find yourself without a JOB !!! So you can have nice quiet days at HOME !!! OH sorry, that, you will have lost to by then. So yes, you morons keep up the good work, you're definitely on your way to a better lifestyle !!!

suspicious
will the millions being saved be put towards the O train plan?...is that the reason this is taking so long?

Mac from Barrhaven
I think that both sides have been particularly immature but I find the most fault with the ATU. Choosing to paralyze an entire city after only 8 months without a contract is selfish and immature. I've been working without a contract for 18 months but we're making gradual progress through dialogue and mutual respect. Paralyzing the nation's capital will not gain respect for anyone, ever. I can appreciate not wanting to be on call from 6am to 10pm but there are other options beyond striking. Develop proposals and new ideas, examine what other transit systems do-in short, be PRODUCTIVE! This strike has been anything but productive, quite the opposite in fact. I realise the union has been willing to talk since December 24th (and fault the city for not meeting with them), but this strike needs more than talking and I question whether the union has been ready to negotiate. I have not heard any new ideas from the union aside from 'take scheduling off the table', which has been the sticking point from the beginning so obviously it's not going to work. The union needs to find a creative solution to this problem because the city can wait much longer than the employees or just hire replacements. After 5 weeks, most citizens have found alternate transportation and adjusted so we can hold out longer as well. How long can the union's striking employees go without pay? I just received my Christmas VISA bill yesterday and I can pay it. How about you ATU members?