CTV News Ottawa

Tired of this load of bull
More horse-hooey!
Nothing will be done.
Nothing will change.
O'Brien won't get re-elected.
Cornellier should get the heck out of Ottawa.
Transit should be deemed essential.
Are we going to be in this situation in 50 days from now? Probably.

is-dis-true?
The Union is getting more and more unrealistic every day. "Fact-finder"???? Translation: we'll talk about it endlessly until you give up and die of boredom and we get what we want anyway. 9.5% in raises in this economic climate??? Ridiculous!!! I'm starting to feel sorry for the bus drivers in financial dire straits. André is NOT looking out for their best interests!

Rahi Atray
Its an insult to all the residents if it is delared an essential service NOW ... after 48 days of strike... ARE YOU GUYS BLIND or SLEEPING....

WHY YOU DIDNT REACT EARLIER?

NOW most of the people have make it the other way around... just to save your jobs and of striking people you want to do this... there should be a result rather than putting everything under the RUG...

This strike has gone past the situation where you can make everyone happy... one side has to face the consequences either the city or the ATU...

Still laughing in Ottawa
so after all this, the ATU is just asking for a proposal that the city offered then over a week ago?

Wow... and you guys actually are happy with Andres performance?

never
Just make it essential already. What are you waiting for? An actual death? Is a body count what it's going to take for this stupidity to end?

I can do Math
All the city did in the recent offer was remove the $2500 productivity bonus, and give them an additional 2% wage increase.
Quick math - average hourly rate for drivers $25
Average work week 40 hours
$25 (rate)X 40(hours)X 52 (weeks) X 3 (3 year contract)X 2% (additional rate increase)
= $3,120.
Therefore, this new offer is giving the ATU an additonal $620 over 3 years.

AND THEY STILL WEREN'T HAPPY
=

Iki
This city is a joke. The end to the strike is nowhere in sight.

Stu Katz
Ottawa is a Joke and all of Canada is laughing!

peggy
Incredible!! Does that mean you have to be a car owner to live in Ottawa???

Suzie in Ottawa
Yet another let down for the people of Ottawa ... we're getting used to it. Dalton McGuinty and the Raging Grannies are the only ones on our side ... unfortunately, neither of them has any power over this mess.

Peggy in Vanier
I'm delighted to hear this great news. Now we can leave the strikers out indefinitely. For those interested in public transit, privatization is the answer.

Suzie in Ottawa
but the time will come when we have our say... election time.

aNGRY STUDENT
This is unacceptable.

A city so incapable of handling mere scheduling issues.

A Obrien who appearantly does not care about his fellow citizens. Let me remind you. You are a mayor, not a CEO!

A Cornelier who just will not shut it

WE ARE DOOMED

Kyle
"Large double-double! And throw in that muffin there." Enjoy your new jobs guys and girls!

Ottawa Tax payer
The feds won't deem the service essetial, both sides are far from resolving the dispute. I can hardly wait for the day that this strike last long enough to have the union desolved, all striking members loose there jobs and start fresh. This way, we will end up having a better service.

Ronnie
If it's not an essential service then sell the buses!

Susan
Ottawa has become a national joke because of the strike.

J - Ottawa
I believe the mayor and his legion of doom should be held hostage. Then they will see how we, the citizens, feel.

sm
lmao this is a joke how is oc transpo not an essential serivice people are suffering the city has to give money out for people to take taxi's. alot of businesses are hurting from it this has become a joke. JUST GET THE BUSSES ON THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!

Really annoyed from Orleans
Looks as though the Canada Industrial Relations Board is run by the ATU or board members get driven around at tax payer's expense or worse yet - BOTH!!!!

Bus Drivers...
Bus Drivers...Senior ones prob will get better scheduling, but your union fees are going to go up. That cuts into your raise. Drivers with 10 years and less are going to be in the same boat as before only with alot less RRSP. 150 a week for strike. Wow. 9% or 3 years. Wow. Man you guys have an excellent union...

Glenn
how can other bus services be essential but not ottawa.

Burt
What a joke this city is....

Joe
Time to privatize OC Transpo and get rid of the ATU and its leader. Go Larry Go. DO NOT GIVE IN TO ANDRE

Very worried tax payer, Ted
The city may not have Public Transportation and it may not be considered an essential service like it is in Montreal or Toronto; however the city is considering getting a Soccer Stadium funded with taxpayer dollars!

Is this city for real? Is Ottawa trying to get nominated as the laughing stock of Canada? Or have they just won, hands down?

Congratulation, it may not be the Stanley Cup, but it is something. I think Ottawa may be going next for a record on the longest bus strike in the history of any City! However, it needs to first be considered a city!

Dave
To "Still Laughing in Ottawa" the Union has said from the outset that if the Sceduling was taken off the table and reviewed jointly the buses would not be removed from service. TWO that's right TWO seperate federal mediators agreed .. the City did not. At week six it was the City that proposed an independant "Fact Finder." If Mayor O'Brien needed a fact finder at week six do you honestly trust him. And another interesting tidbit, the City tabled the scheduling issue in late November. Negotiations have been ongoing since April and they only noticed a "Safety Issue" in late November. Every other transit fleet in the Country has Operator selected schedules. The Employer assembles the work and the Operator selects based on his/her senority. The union does not control the schedules!!!! If the Union did your buses wouldn't be late all the time from absolutely unrealistic run times. You are being lied to by the Mayor and Council.

Franky, Ottawa
A reply to Tim who wrote:

I don't know why some people are still missing the "Chiarelli" era, he was a push over that got nothing accomplished he was a puppet of the councillors reason why now we are in the mess we are and even the councillors were not used to working with someone who would put his foot down and that is why OC workers are still dreaming of Chiarelli.

Keep dreaming with O’Brien, he is still not out of the woods yet! The reason the city is in the mess is because of the Union, Bus Drivers and you Hero of a Mayor! History has not yet absolved him!

A least Charelli had integrity, honesty and compassion for his City and its citizens!

Say what you want but with Charelli you would have Bus Service.

Funny but where were people like you to complain how bad the Bus Service and transit Service was in Ottawa in the PAST. Or are you just happy because you actually think you will get a tax reduction now from the city! Go back to bed ! This city is a joke !

Dom
Larry is a moron as mayor and he'll have his day in court but he is doing the right thing here. Hold strong everyone...we've made it through Christmas, the world juniors and January (coldest month) - a month from now the thaw will be starting and if we survived so far we'll survive when the snow melts and cycling/walking is more reasonable.

The city should call them back every Monday and give them the same offer - no changes, no compromises - trust me, they'll sign eventually. The time for negotiations are over...the union members will turn as their bank accounts, RRSP's empty and their credit cards get charged up.

Mike in Ottawa
Why is it an essential service in 3 other major city's in Canada then???????

mikey
Cut the ties with Quebec and become a provincialy regulated service and let the province makeit essential ..The feds are useless

Frustrated
One day, we are all going to look back at this and laugh . . . maniacally.

I seriously doubt Ottawa's going to even make top 25 of "best place in Canada to live." Too bad - was first place last year.

Meanwhile, it's snowing . . . again!

Jay
Very worried tax payer, Ted

The longest bus strike was in quebec city it lasted 7 months.

Are you kidding me
Another black eye on this city. just make them essential already.

John K. of Orleans
FIRE the OC Transpo Drivers

PRIVATIZE portions of OC Transpo (especially where we got ATU 279)

Property tax payer
Time to outsource OC Transpo to private company. Taxpayers will pay less than $600 per year in property taxes for transportation.

NO.C. Transpo rider.
Lets get an online petition going and forward it immediately to Larry O'Brien. I say that both sides should stay in a room until this thing is settled. Lets get these buses rolling.

Ottawa Liz
Is there any way that we the tax payers of Ottawa can sue the City, the ATU and the Canada Idustrial Relations Board under the Charter or under any other law???

I don't know about the rest of you but it seems to me that my rights and freedoms sure are being infringed!

Mo from Orleans
If it is not an essential service why we will be investing billions in the future?

Julie from Ottawa
I heard the Cuban government is looking to buy some buses.

marc
wow there's a bunch of bull >:( all the cabs the city is paying for people in need which is excellent!! but this is going down hill ....they should agree to put buses on atleas a saturday service.Limit the all the drivers to a 4hr shift lol .... dam scrach youre head

JB
At this point, I think the Raging Grannies should take over negotiations and mediation. They are sure to do far better than anyone else who has been involved so far.

CIRB
Who does the Canada Industrial Relations Board think they are?? I wonder who is paid these guys off with the NO vote !!!!
Is it a cost out of their pockets ?? I wouldnt think so ... We the taxpayers deserve a reasonable explanation as to why the NO vote from these members. The public has been left in the dark way to long ... as tax payers we deserve to know some of these answers !!!

Umar Farooq
I am not sure if I should cry or laugh! I am beyond any form of anger, disgust, disdain, and fury! This is Ottawa, in Canada, in North America, in the West, and THIS is what Ottawans are being put through? a bus strike that has resulted in so much loss that I am frightened to think about the number of casualties for January 2009!!!

I agree with a lot of people here when they talk about how Ottawa has become the butt of jokes for not only Ontario, but for the rest of the country and beyond. I am very very sad and ashamed at knowing that part of my hard earned money will go to the people who have done NOTHING BUT cause great heartache and misery to this city's citizens.

To the Mayor and to ATU/Cornellier, all I can say is that someone needs to put in you guys the fear of God and may you guys be spared the treachery and heartache which the innocent people in this city are enduring.

Alex from ottawa
I'm sorry did i read that right, oc transpo not considered an essential service and doesn't pose a threat to the publics health and safety?

Really are you guys waiting for someone to die at their home before you make it an essential service?

This is a JOKE!!!!!!

Well i guess you wouldn't care seeing as though you guys probably have driver's and you don't take the bus!!!!!

I guess the next death that occurs during this strike is on your head. I hope you guys are sleeping well tonight.

SHAMEFUL

OttawaTaxpayer
First of all, I'd like to find any city planner who agrees that for a large city, a mass transit system is not essential. Second of all, why is such a large proportion of our property tax dollars going towards an 'unessential' service? I believe the figure I read was 20% of our taxes were going for transit. So we're paying 20% of our property taxes for a service that ranks high up there with dog runs in terms of 'being essential'! Wait until we get a visting dignitary from another country, and they find they can't get around because there no cabs to be hired, no parking spots, etc, and we'll see how essential mass transit is then.

Cheryl, Ottawa
"The Canada Industrial Relations Board has decided OC Transpo is not an essential service and doesn't pose a direct threat to the public's health and safety." Really?? People getting sick from walking in the freezing cold or stressed from losing their jobs, their school year, not getting their medication! Someone wrote "what are you waiting for an actual death."
Well, you know, there have been some deaths from car accidents...........hummmmmm I guess we can't prove that because of the bus strike there are more cars on the road (well that we can prove) and that maybe people who don't usually drive in a lot of traffic have to now, and most likely tired as well. To me, that poses a direct threat to the public's health and safety. Funny.........people are saying fire the bus drivers and hire new ones. Well no one can apply...they have closed or blocked the site where you apply to be a bus driver. Get real !!!!!

Bryan
As I read the comments on CTV's articles, day after day, I can only shake my head at society.

I would guess that 80% or more of the people on here have found ways to cope with the strike, and they are not all that inconvenienced in the end. Yet, you still continue to complain, or call the city of Ottawa a joke. Can you explain why the city is a joke? I would love to hear the reasoning behind that.

Yes, the strike is unfortunate, but it's not ending any time soon. Get that through your mind. If you haven't started already, learn to DEAL WITH IT.

The maturity level of people on here is ridiculous.

"Fire them all!"
"Privatize OC Transpo!"
"Larry sucks!"
"Andre for Mayor!"
"I'm moving!"

Think about that. You don't know legalities. You don't know what's going on behind closed doors. You don't know the issues first hand. You don't know who's at fault for which part of this whole issue. You don't know what you are talking about.

People need to grow up.

Rob in Barrhaven
Mr. Mayor
I'd say it's about time to start bringing in replacement workers. It takes about 5 minutes to learn to drive a bus. The union obviously cares for no one but it's members who are obviously mesmerized by Andy's massive vocabulary and are unable to think for themselves. The odd driver gets on this site and makes a fool of himself by stating "we are going to win". Win what? You idiots have lost, you've pissed off everyone in the city and continue to do so. You're done, quit and move on to your jobs serving the rest of us coffee.

Amy Of Ottawa
How is this NOT an essential service? People are SUFFERING, they are losing jobs because they can't get to work. Businesses are losing money because sales are down from lack of customers because some people simply can't get around. A lot of us are trapped in our houses and apartments like we are in prison, this is so sad, nobody seems to care about the citizens of Ottawa, we need help and we need it fast. Lets get those buses moving, we need them. They are an essential service, wake up and smell the coffee, or the people are going to THROW at you for NOT caring. We are HUMAN BEINGS.

Determined
The strike situation in Ottawa demonstrates that many parts of our entire public policy system have to change, at every level, so that out-of-control unions like the ATU can be dealt with as they deserve.
In this case the ATU deserves the same amount of consideration and mercy it has shown the citizens of Ottawa.

Doug in Carleton Place
To Whom it May Concern:

I don’t know who is in charge at Canada Industrial Relations Board but you are idiots to not make it an essential service.

People are dying, losing their jobs, not getting proper health care and the elderly are lost.

How many people have to die or lose their way before it is considered essential?

You have entered a hornets’ nest on this one.

Just curious, how many people who made this decision live in or near Ottawa?

Time for all of you to be replaced with intelligent human beings.

I think it is time to disband The Canada Industrial Relations Board.

Concerned Area Resident

there's a time for everything
Ottawa residents have shown a lot of patience and restraint -- bottom line this strike would not have lasted so long if this had not been the case, there is a time for everything and the time for patience and restraint has long been gone.
It's time for every one to stop juggling between sides and realize there is only US (the public) and THEM (City Council and the ATU and their members). We need to take our side and rise up agianst THEM as one voice!!!!!

Heather, Ottawa ON
If the buses didn't go over to Quebec, this would be a whole different scenario.
In Toronto, Dalton had back to work legislation in place in 48 hours when the TTC went on strike. He couldn't do that here because the buses go to Quebec.
STOP the inter-provincial buses for crying out loud! Drop people off at the border, and let them get a Quebec bus from there.

Why won't Rona do her job (like Dalton did) and order them back to work? I just don't get it!

Dysfunctional
If OC transpo is not considered an essential service, then I guess that means the Rapid transit they are considering wouldn't be an essential service either.
Geez, this city sucks!
Oh yeah... and a soccer stadium funded by taxpayers money? Get REAL! I can't wait for the day that I move out of this lame city.

I WANT MY TAXES BACK
All I care about are the transit system back online. Council JUST GET IT DONE!

GET IT DONE! or give me the portion of my transit system taxes back pain in CASH with interest per day. This city is a laughing stock. I WANT THE BUSES ON THE ROAD OR GIVE ME MY TAXES BACK. Night as well give me my snow removal because that too is bull. FIX IT or get out of council as the voices of the people.

Christina
As one of the people who SUBMITTED a letter outlining why OC Transpo should be deemed an essential service, I am very much disappointed that 3,000 letters isn't enough for these people.

I'm disabled. I need the buses. I don't have a health-care worker, I'm not at all happy with my elected representatives right now.

Boya, Ottawa
Hang in there, everybody! I know is hard on all of us, but the weather will only get better. Spring will come and it will actually be nice to walk. We are on a crusade together to finally get rid of those drivers permanently. I am impressed to see that this strike has brought out the best in people. We are kinder to each other, and we get to make new friends. Be patient, guys! I really hope they dissolve OC Transpo at the end of this.

Fed up in Ottawa
Who sits on the Canada Industrial Relations Labour Board? My guess is that it's made up of union supporters, unionists and other such collected idiots.Few if any representatives of the general public. No representatives from seniors, minimum wage earners, students, single moms, single dads, cab drivers, the unemployed or those who have lost their job thanks to M. Cornellier and the greedy overpaid, underworked drivers at OC Transpo. What a joke!

Anna
Buses are not essential in a city the size of Ottawa?? Not just by population but by distance. And with this climate??

Unbelievable. While they're at it, they can deem home heating is not essential either. We can just wrap ourselves up in 6 layers of clothing, we'll live. The Inuit can do it...

Let us all buy cars and put them in every corner of the road. That's the answer.

Maki
Drivers ... who among you've been talking to the board ...

We need to FIRE these guys as they're making everybody suffer ...

Mayor/Councillors, do something to prevent the city from being hostaged! Do not give in to ATU 279!!!

Jason
So to summarize:

- OCTranspo is NOT an essential service

-The Federal Government is NOT going to force them back to work

- The City will NOT back down on its demands

- The Union will NOT back down on its demands

-The Premier cannot do anything because OCTranspo goes into Quebec

- any other measures will take months and weeks to put into action

On top of that, if the strike is EVER resolved,it will take months to get bus service back.

UNBELIEVABLE! Ottawa has become the single worst and shameful city in Canada to live in. What an embarassment. There are 2 things Im glad for however:

-Drivers are NOT getting paid
all this time
- Ridership will NOT be the same ever again.

Great job everyone

Mark
Congrats Ottawa on becoming the laughingstock of the nation!

Disgraceful and shameful,If I was anyone involved with this, I'd wear a brown paper bag on my head.

Ex-Transit User - Steve C
It’s utterly shameful what both the city of Ottawa and ATU have put the innocent TAX PAYING citizens of Ottawa through. This is an act of AGGRESSION towards us! And the suffering that we have endured will not go unpunished. The people of Ottawa deserve a competent city council and transit service. The capital city of our great country is a laughing joke because of this, I hope O’Brien and Cornellier are replaced soon with more qualified people.

“An injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult.”

Lord Chesterfield

Brad
How is it that a public transport strike can go on in the capital of a G8 nation for 50 days and 3 levels of Government cannot fix it ? People should think twice about living here

fed up with seniors
I say we get rid of the union and go back to work " if it was not for the senior drivers " us drivers with 10 yrs & under would be back why don't you just leave / retire / get lost so we can go back.

James
Just cancel the service and stop the talks. What's the point now ? No one cares about the people anyways.While they are at, why dont they come by and spit on people's faces?

TC in Kanata, former bus rider
Tell me why this is not the first choice?
'Time to privatize OC Transpo and get rid of the ATU and its leader.' Once we hit 6 months without this Non Essential Service!

I too say!
Go Larry Go. DO NOT GIVE IN TO ANDRE and the minority of drivers.

terry
If someone told me 50 days ago, that a World Capital would have a 50 day transit strike with no end in sight, one of the last cities I would thought would have been Ottawa. What a an absolute shame! Please don't move here!!!!

Earl
Rona Ambrose, get off your high horse and end this thing. Why are you so useless? Even Dalton McGuinty says that there has been no leadership. Government has proven itself to be UTTERLY USELESS and CARELESS handling this whole affair!

John
This strike should run as long as it takes to get value for taxpayers. The Union is out of control and can not be allowed to milk the community for money or put public safety at risk for greed.

aj
Ottawa is such a joke not being able to settle this. OC is mismanaged, the Union is greedy and it is time to get rid of CITY COUNCIL and the Mayor. I will buy a car now so I never have to take a bus again driven by those sob drivers.

A frustrated Tax Payer
Unbeleivable!! go figure, The capital of Canada and our transit system is not good enof to be declared an essential service! Hmmm Maybe if we start acting like Torontonions or if we all spoke french, then maybe we could get some recognition. I still stand behind Larry as I would not want to see those greedy people get another nickle of my hard earned tax $$$, whether it be out of bogus overtime or increase in salary. As it stands, they make enof considering they drive buses. Thats it! Well, another 50 days and they can be legally done away with along with thier union thugs. Then, we can get what WE deserve. A decent transit system. I no longer have any faith in our gov't as they have shown they do not care about Ottawa. And as for city council, look out next election!

liz ottawa
actually ATU wanted it to be declared essential because for some reason they would have gotten more money or something. that is why Obrien didnt want that. this is all just a stupid game of chicken leaving hapless victims at the side of the road with their thumbs out asking for a ride somewhere. ATU for Gods sake give up your dream of scheduling, work with it and give the city something they can work with. you havent done that once so far yet. threatening is not negotiating. negotiating involves a win win where each side gets something. so far it seems as if ATU is just making demands not offering to give anything up.

no wonder that scheduling system is so corrupt, the ATU was heavily involved in devising it. what a load of crap. sit down and solve this thing. people are tired and worn out already.

CUstudent
In a time thousands of people are losing their job and the world's financial situation is going insanely down the drain, the senseless and irresponsible bus drivers have no interest of keeping their job let alone contributing their part in the struggle against economical downturns. It is the kind of greed and irresponsibility that have brought the economic disasters we faced today and unfortunately ATU wants it to get worse! ATU members, you will reap what you have sow i.e. ultimately getting fired.

Down DOWN
EH you people wake up. www.firelarryobrien.com. THIS MAYOR HAS TO GO NOW.COUNCIL YOU ARE RIGHT BEHIND. STUPID FOOLS, and you people voted for this SHAME. Also you better think twice on the government you voted for USELESS. KEEP PLAYING OLD SCHOOL YOU ALL WILL HAVE NOTHING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel
Boy, this just better and better. President Obama has announced he will visit Canada on February 19. With the International media sure to follow now we can be the laughing stock of not only Canada but of the entire world. Keep up the good work ya bunch of incompetent fools!

tax payer
both sides in this dispute have spread misinformation. didnt alain mercier say the union wanted oc transpo to be declared they are an essential service after they had the vote when accordint to cirb both city of ottawa and atu both gave submissions that they didnt want it declared essential.im all for saving property taxes but not at the expense of the less fortunate citizens of ottawa that rely on the busses. how can the city hold a dollar value on people who need this service. im not saying to give in to union but both sides have to be able to compromise and not pull the wool over the citizens eyes

Tired
Better get the buses back on the road before Barrack Obama visits on Feb. 19th.

How shameful would it be to have people picketing on Parliament Hill the day of Obama's visit because Harper won't do anything to help us.
How long do you think STEVE would have let this go on in Calgary?

enditnow
Bus drivers

Would you be fine with this deal

Schedule stays as it is

1% pay raise per year
No bonous

John from Ottawa
Want to end this strike?

Take the driver's licenses away from the union bosses, the mayor and city council until this is resolved. Make them walk wherever they have to go.

Watch - things will get fixed in a hurry.

Kevin, royally piste
TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!!!!

Never again.

Never, ever again.

Next city election, throw them all out.

Next federal election, throw them all out.

What is essential?
So Ambrose is changing her mind and might now declare transit an essential service. Was she expecting the Canada Industrial Relations Board wouldn't do the dirty work for her?

Transit IS an essential service, it just seems as though no one was willing to go out on a limb and declare it as such. Thank you Minister Ambrose for finally coming to your senses.
(at least I hope this is the case....more to come after all...)

Quincy Smith
So, they wake up, now!

Pathetic!

For God's sake, the strike is killing us!

What if the opposition doesn't go along with it?

Can we turn to Obama? I hear he is coming over. :-)

Tyler (Ottawa)
So, now that Parliament is back in session and all of a sudden the MP's are inconvenienced in traffic like the rest of us peons, something is going to be done?

Pssfft...please!

NO.C. Transpo
Hurrah! for the minister. Finally some action. Best news we've had for a long time.

CS Ottawa
If this was Toronto, the strike would be over. Toronto's lasted 36 hours. To the 80% of the drivers who voted to strike.. Shame on you! If you want respect from the citizens, then you have to EARN it. Get back behind the wheel. Ms. Ambrose...do what you should have done a long time ago..get the OC Transpo buses back on the roads. Stop holding the citizens of Ottawa hostage.

NO.C Transpo rider.
It needs a woman's touch for anything to make sense. Kick all the men out and let the women do the negotiating from now on.

Mike from Canada
Deem them an essential service, with binding arbitration, and take the bloody scheduling away from the bus drivers, and into the hands of city management. Unions killed Maple Leaf in Alberta, the car manufacturing industry in Ont, and now they are killing a bus service. It is not about respect, it about greed when a bus driver makes 150,000 a year with the overtime scam.

Belle River Canadian
I have the utmost sympathy for those in the Ottawa-Carleton region who are currently affected by this terrible strike. But to those above who have stated that Ottawa is now the "laughing stock of Canada", I must correct you: The City of Windsor, with its hordes of unions, claimed that title a long time ago and has yet to shed it. The unions in this city are killing all industries in already troubling economic times. What you are going through in Ottawa is terrible, but it will end. In Windsor, the devastation to the region has barely commenced, and is highly noticeable, especially to those coming from Eastern Ontario...our city is dying a terrible death. While Ottawa will survive, Windsor silently dies. Good luck Ottawa, and once you're back on your feet, remember us here in the real Laughing Stock of Canada.

Frustrated-n-Otown
I was just informed of this....It's about time. I've been feeling nothing but regret for moving back to my hometown due to this strike and how it has affected me in finding work after living up in the North. I feel as if I should've stayed up there, at least I could get around and it wouldn't take me hours of walking. This is ludacris for the city to allow it to take this long and for the union to be so cold, especially with the timing. All parties should be ashamed of themselves! I hope the next time elections are held for council and Mayor that us Ottawans make sure that none of them return, whatsoever...None of them really have the interest of the people at mind....All they think about is themselves! Period....

Lee in downtown Ottawa
Make it law that the politicians all have to use public transit the same as their employees (they'll only pay for the most echinomical means of transport under normal circumstances) and yoú'll see how quickly this strike is over and the busses are back on the road.

James
Back to Work Legislation

This is what I said would happen.

See what the ATU does now....maybe they will vote to accept the latest offer?

Did your plan work Andre C?

Philip
Whenever there is a strike - basically workers refusing to work as a way of putting pressure on the company, they should hire in some employment agency to bring in some temp workers, and then to have several temp agencies take over the labour part of the transit system. It would probably be cheaper and cost less to taxpayers. There are even doctors who work for employment agencies - who can cover a wide range of skills, so transit would be no problem for them. I worked in one place where there were about 5 different temp agencies in the same place. They do a good job and don't go on strike. The minute there is a strike the HR people should get on the phone and try to get temp agencies to fill in so as to have no disruption of service to the public and customers.

Tarek
Since both parties wouldn't move much on their positions - with several Federal Mediators involved - there is no other option left but to federally legislate them back to work.

I think this is the best solution for both sides, not sure they will be happy - but we don't care about that - as long as our buses are back on the road!

trapped student
I think the mayor has the responsibility to use resources effectively especially during this economical turmoil.

I still can't believe the union took advantage of the citizen of ottawa and go on strike right before Christmas...I sure we all had a MERRY x'mas and a HAPPY new year thanks to the union.

I too believe that some drivers are earning way more than their required skill

Jenn
Thank you Rona for seeing the light. It is the only sensible thing I have heard from a politician on the matter. Now lets hope it passes-but I will believe it when I see it.

Trinity
ALLUJAH!! Thank you ALLUJAH!! Thank you ALLUJAH!! Thank you ALLUJAH!! Thank you

Sandi in Ottawa
ABOUT BLOODY TIME!!!!
So glad I emailed her this weekend!

Steve-0
Thank you miss Ambrose....Now as long as the NDP do not stand in the way of legislation as they did in the teachers strike in toronto and we will be fine.....You ROCK RONA
Finally
Feds Intervene!

Matt
YES, GET THE BUSES BACK ON THE ROAD!!!

shawn
Anyone know why the Federal gov't is introducing this legislation and not the provincial gov't?

I thought when the TTC went on strike, it was Ontario that order them back to work??

PM
Don't forget the politicians were away from Ottawa for the duration of the strike. Now that they are back, and some of them may actually need to use the buses, they are saying the situation is desperate. Well duh.

ed best
This doesn't say much for what the Minister thinks of the Canada Industrial Relations Board. Perhaps it's yet another federal agency that could benefit from a thorough audit.

R/H Ontario
"Ronnie
If it's not an essential service then sell the buses!"
Good one, couldn't have said it better. Give you an A+ for that answer!

Karen
Just for a reference Toronto TTC was never declared an essentail service. The motion was defeated by 1 vote (23-22). It would have cost the city too much for them to do that.

Paul
Hmmm I wonder if the fact Obama is coming to town Feb 19th has anything to do with it! LOL

fl
she should have done this month ago.

Wendy Santo, Orleans, ON
Let's start a class action against City Council and the ATU. They should be held accountable for the destruction they have caused. They are not intelligent enough to solve the problem, so get them out and make them pay.

Chris P.
Please! Chairelli did not give us the booking system, we bought it from Peter Clark.
The 1999 negotiations were none under 'interest based negotiations". Ever since 1999 the City has insisted on 'contract stripping'. As drivers we have even less rights than the commuters, even when we are on the job!
Larry has played mind games with the public as much as the drivers. Take his car away for a day and see if the strike settles. Maybe he could 'car pool' with Clive, it seems the canal passes near each of their homes.
Certainly that would be "convienient!"

Jim in Ottawa
Oh my head. Will this never end. Does Jack Layton have to agree to this back to work legislation? If so we are doomed. This reminds me of the movie 'Groundhog Day' with Bill Murray, only it had a happy ending.

Steve in Ottawa
It is time to do what Ronald Reagan did in 1981 to the striking air traffic control workers. Declare that the bus drivers have abandoned their jobs and offer these jobs to other qualified bus drivers who would like a really high paying job with great benefits. My children take a school bus and have a driver who is qualified and who is excellent. His wife just died from cancer and he has children to support. they are now a one income family. He would be an ideal replacement driver and is well qualified for the work. Unlike City bus drivers, he has also been approved to work with kids. It is time to get new drivers who care.

WILL
i THINK EVEN WHEN THEY DO GET THE BUSES GOING, THE CITIZENS SHOULD LET THEM RUN EMPTY FOR A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK AND SEE HOW THAT FEELS FOR THEM HAVE THOSE BUSES RUNNING AND REVENUE TO COVER THE EXPENSE, I MEAN ITS BEEN THIS LONG WITHOUT THEM, WHAT'S ANOTHER WEEK GONNA HURT.

WILL
i THINK EVEN WHEN THEY DO GET THE BUSES GOING, THE CITIZENS SHOULD LET THEM RUN EMPTY FOR A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK AND SEE HOW THAT FEELS FOR THEM HAVE THOSE BUSES RUNNING AND REVENUE TO COVER THE EXPENSE, I MEAN ITS BEEN THIS LONG WITHOUT THEM, WHAT'S ANOTHER WEEK GONNA HURT.

Transit Problems Overuled By Legislation
Dear Ms. Ambrose,

Now that the Federal Government is truly again functioning, and has the backing of the Liberal Party,and especially because Mauril Belanger sounded the alarm, the Citizens of Ottawa will be more than pleased, that she (Rona Ambrose) will legislate the ATU Local 279 workers back to work, after approval of Federal Opposition Parties !

Special thanks to Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff for
allowing Mr. Harper to continue governing Canada ,even though it is "on probation"!!

Let's get those buses back on the road as soon as possible !!

Robert Cyr

BA
Hhhhm. I don't suppose the reversal by Rona has anything to do with the fact that Obama's scheduled to show up on Feb 19th? Can you imagine the US motorcade stuck in traffic with a bunch of plackard waving bus drivers barring them? Well, neither can the feds. Pity, might be fun to wath the American Secret Service break the OC Transpo picket line.

mike
is-dis-true?
The Union is getting more and more unrealistic every day. "Fact-finder"???? Translation: we'll talk about it endlessly until you give up and die of boredom and we get what we want anyway. 9.5% in raises in this economic climate??? Ridiculous!!! I'm starting to feel sorry for the bus drivers in financial dire straits. André is NOT looking out for their best interests!
---------

well the economic climate of the day is not what unions work on,, the climate was fine a year ago,,, and will be next year,, you can not base a 4 or 5 year contact on one year,,, also because the climate is not great for some,,, why should all the rest have a crap deal,,,get what you can,, thats what the 100 ceo making over 10 million a year do,, so why not the workers,, time to support workers and not bosses,,,,

Jim Lahey, Sunnyvale ON
FINALLY! FINALLY!

It is about ttime someone does what is right for Ottawa. A G8 capital with a 50 days transit strike. Way to go city coucil. We will remember you guys at election time.

Auris
I can't wait to see the public backlash when they are back on the roads. I can see pie and egg sales going up already.

Mike
Come on everyone, by show of hands here; how many of us love the looney left in Canada? God bless Jack and Buzz and Iggy and Dalton...

I love all these vacations that public sector unions keep getting at our expense. Maybe this is how we are supposed to be encouraged (forced) to by crappy domestic cars. Conspiracy, any one?

Mark in Ottawa
Privatize the transit system! Fire the whole lot of them and run Cornelier out of town...that will allow this city to run better. At least people who want to work can work. Days of Unions are over. In these economic times, can you really justify a 10% increase? OC Transpo has already the highest costing fare in North America..come on...even New York city is only 2 dollars! What makes OC so special? I am buying a car..

Mike
Classic Cluelessness of Rona Ambrose!

Last week there was apparently no need, this week there is "clearly no compromise or no flexibility" being shown by both sides! Isn't that what the people were telling you for the past several weeks!!?

She didn't realize the severity/importance of climate change either, so really no big surprise, I guess.

SLL Ottawa
OK, not an essential service, doesn't surprise me from the wimpy feds but oooh Obama's coming..back to work legislation for that kids. What options are left..... fire the ATU membership, privatize and make them all re-apply.
It was Chiarelli that gave away the scheduling in the first place. First rule of business negotiations is keep control of the money and scheduling. Me thinks he was/is in their back pocket. I'm sooooo glad we have Larry, an astute business man. Don't give in Larry. But Councillors from Chiarelli's era gotta go too.

mike
Joe
Time to privatize OC Transpo and get rid of the ATU and its leader. Go Larry Go. DO NOT GIVE IN TO ANDRE
===========

they would still have a union,, its the right of a FREE world,if 100 ceo can make 10 million a year in Canada why not the workers have some too..support workers,,, not bosses

Don Mayne - Ottawa
If they cannot resolve this dispute by bargaining, then the parties should resort to an alternate dispute resolution mechanism. Either arbitration or med/arb. It has worked for other transit disputes in Canada to resolve a work stoppage. An arbitrated result is usually based on comparators of similar transit contracts across Canada. This is the simple, fair and professional way of dispute resolution if direct bargaining is not successful.

Exhausted Student Teacher
At first, I thought the strike would be over within a week ... and then two weeks ... now it's gone on for fifty days, with no plan for the buses to get back onto the street?

I am a University of Ottawa student in the Faculty of Education. Because of the transit strike, I carpool with teachers at the school. The only way for me to get home every night is to leave 40 minutes early. My associate teacher views this as a lack of commitment to teacher. The reality is, that I am unable to pay $20 to $30 a day on taxis. That is not a reflection of my commitment. It's a simple matter of economics. If one has no means to the end, how will they get there?! Should the strike continue, I may fail my practicum because I will be unable to get to the school or home. I am struggling enough as it is (working two part time jobs, on top of being at an elementary school 8 hours a day, 4 days a week and on campus every Friday). My story isn't as bad as others around the city, but I feel that all of this added stress could have been avoided if the buses were running as usual.

All of my hard work and commitment may go up in smoke because of this ridiculous strike.

I have lost faith in the "leaders" who are working for us Canadians. It seems that it all boils down to saving a buck, regardless of who gets knocked down in the process.

I hope that the union leaders and the city work out some sort of deal. The buses need to start running again. It's beyond ridiculous.

bob
We need bus service in Ottawa but not at any cost. Ottawa has a major spending problem. Every year they threaten a 9% tax increase and tell us they negotiated it down to 4.5% so we should feel lucky. Few people have wages that are going up by 4.5% every year. The city has to take this on. The union is massively losing the PR battle and the longer the strike goes on and the worse the economy gets, the worse that is going to be for them. The city will compromise on scheduling if the union can offer up another way to achieve the same cost savings. Either way it has to be done.

Dave
We citizens have a very short memory, or perhaps just selective. Until recently Para Transpo was run by a company called First Bus. However at the last tender the City was forced to bid on it's own because it loses so much money. You can't run public transportation for a profit. It can't be done. If it could why isn't it being done anywhere else in the country. Some other properties in Canada have public private/ partnerships but the cost of delivery of service still remains larger in these arrangments. Cash fair ($3.00) pays for only 51 percent of the cost of service. Each articulated bus is $640,000 and each straight bus is approx. $500,000. Unless you are willing to pay $6.50 + a ride plus your average of $600 in property tax to fund a 'for profit' organization it can't and won't happen!

ian
AS usual people giving their opinion without knowing any of the facts. Yes there is something called Essential Service but in this case the strike apparently does not fit the criteria. Also John Baird explained it correctly when he said that it takes all party consent to legislate them back to work, and as we have just seen with the York University strike, all party consent is very unlikely. The dippers won't agree to it because they are traditionally Pro Union (just like they've shown with the York U strike)therefore it's a non starter. There are two sides to the story here and as an Ottawa taxpayer who already pays over $4000 per year in property taxes, I'm fed up with unions always wanting more. They say it's not about the money, it's about the schedule, then all the drivers get on the radio talk shows and say it's not about the scheduling. What is it about then? Give in to the transit union now, and the other 12 union contracts that are coming up for renewal will cost us the moon.

Scotty
This is only a ploy so Ambrose and Harper don't want to look like hypocrites when they legislate a pay freeze for federal public servants. This has nothing to do with the people of Ottawa and everything to do with a Conservative agenda...

As for Ambtrose actually doing anything, I'll wait and see. Her past performance as Environment Minsiter was laughable.

Where is Mr tough-guy, John Baird? As a local MP I would have hoped he would have been a little more aggressive in trying to solve this dispute weeks ago. I guess this is "do as I say, not as I do..."

jen
The STRIKERS form OC TRANSPO should have some kind of repercussion for what they have done!!!!!! Not fair for them to put so many people through such hardship and get off scott free, with a nice paying , cushy job to go back to (with excellent benefits i might add!!!!!

Please let's have some GOOD news for a change
Dear Rona Ambrose,

Could I please kiss you on the forehead?

Dear Members of the Canada Industrial Relations Board,

Obviously you don't take the bus (or lack there of).

if only, if only
Strange the feds are only reacting now after nearly two months.

Funny how all this could have been avoided if the OC Transpo only offered its services in Ottawa.

christopher shea
fire them all
bring in the army
some army personel trained to drive bus incase of evacuations and stuff
were paying them anyway

just do it and the next union to ask for the moon will think twice

do like regain
ALL OF U OUT!!!

jumangi
Way to Go Minister Ambrose! Please contact your MP and voice your opinion and forced them to go back to work. The public servants are not allowed to go on strike why should they.

Force them to go back to work and do what they do best drive a bus.... Shame on the bus drivers.

Next time you will take the bus voice I will not hesitate to voice my opinion to the driver and if I don't like his attitude I will make a complaint against him.

Disgrunted ottawa voter
About time all the parties should give their total support so this thing can be over with ASAP! Then declare the service essential,or privitize OC Transpo
Way to go Bubba!

Marc O
I wonder if Rona Ambrose's sudden change of heart doesn't have more to do with US President Obama's visit to Ottawa February 19, rather than a genuine concern over the hardships transit users are facing - and have been facing for quite some time now.

Chelsea
I hope they're ordered back to work and that the Feds impose a contract on them. Haw! Haw! Are they ever going to get a good ruffling in addition to the one the idiots are getting now. Haw! Haw!

Frank
I'd say Cornellier and his gang are in deep "doodoo" now.

Jameel
President Obama should find this city interesting on Feb. 19 with no buses.

Ottawa Resident
Why aren't the ATU members posting comments about the back to work legislation?

Where are they now....they better come back from Florida!!

Formerly from Ottawa
So many times I read the lines that make my brain hurt.
"Fire them all".
-replace them with whom, exactly? Are you willing to drive a bus? would you trust someone who had a crash course in driving a bus with your life?

"Privatize the jobs"
Before I moved from Ottawa to Montreal there were pass price increases of $5 a year. That is still in effect last I checked. Now, if it goes private, your tax dollars won't go to fund the service. You won't be paying for it via tax (provincial or municipal). So who is going to pay the drivers? and the Bus costs (purchase, repairs)? The rider.
You think it is expensive now, wait until it is unsubsidized by the gov't.

I lived through the last (and quite a bit shorter) OC strike while a student. It sucked riding my bike from Beacon Hill to the experimental farm in the snow, but I made it through it.
I think that the timing of the strike could have been better. The union is a thumbs-down on this one.
I think the city should be more accomodating on their stance about the scheduling.

But most of all, to all of you deriding the drivers on this one, I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and actually take the bus. Spend a day driving around ottawa in a car or bus, and ten tell us all how it felt. They have a rather thankless job, one that gets less recognition than just about any other service industry job out there, and when they try to keep what they already have they get what kind of response?

At times, some of the comments I read make me glad I no longer live in Ottawa. Good luck to all of you.

Famine
Obviously the ATU can't look pass their noses and I am getting tired of it. The ME, MYSELF and "I" attitude has got to change. If a child was dying of hunger next to you - would you only be concerned about yourself?

Chris Ont
Should force the mechanics back, they don't appear to have an issue with scheduling and get the busses ready to roll. Then allow those that want to work, come back on their own and drive. The rest will quickly follow, lowering the power of the union. Those first drivers back will not have as hard ride from the public, as they showed they wanted to keep working.
Bringing back all the drivers with no busses to drive makes little sense. Besides, gives them a chance to get back from down south.

Karen
I finally had a good laugh today seeing this article AND the announcement of Obama's visit. Who thinks one is related to the other?? How stupid would THAT look. Would be a great opportunity for a rally that day if they haven't done something by then!! I'd be there!! That would be so embarrassing for our government to have hundreds of us there and putting a real damper on Obama's visit. I love Obama and don't want that to be his first impression of Ottawa. They have to put an end to this...

Duke (and Earl)
"FEDS ARE PREPARED TO ORDER STRIKING DRIVERS BACK TO WORK"
Doesn't make any sense! The government has not declared OC Transpo an essential service. Oh, forget it! I'm seriously thinking about moving to Tasmania. Ottawa is getting embarrassing.

Cuthbertson
Large pepperoni with no NDP.

Frustrated
The reason why the feds have to do the legislating back to work and not the province is because the bus routes cross provincial boundaries (Ottawa - Gatineau).

Danielle in Orleans
I don't believe it Minister Ambrose wants to do the right thing. Bravo!!Maybe we will have the hero we have been waiting for. Make them go back, people have suffered enough with this strike and the greed will never end.We should all write to Minister Ambrose and tell her we support her in her decision and encourage her to keep going towards that goal.

AJ
Just remember it'll take a couple of weeks still before the busses start rolling out onto the streets.. So even though whenever they get ordered back to work the strike will be over...But the wait for the busses will continue.

Charles
When the strikers lose their homes, we can sell them the buses which they can convert into their next homes. They can then drive them to a nice trailer park in Mississippi and retire.

Sammy in Ottawa
We have a union who ruined Christmas, the holidays and people's lives. We have a mayor who waits days to call City Council meetings to discuss matters and resolve nothing. And we have a Federal Labour Minister who is in a world of her own.

Like others, my question is, how many people would have to die or fall seriously ill for any official to take remote interest in this crisis?

Angry and fed-up
Seriously, what's the point of even putting them back? Maybe we can just lower the taxi rates (they've been benefiting for sure) and up the number of Parabus drivers. Schools have school buses (the colleges and universities can add it to tuition costs). By now most of us have learned/figured out how to cope. Just fire them all and then we'd be better off.

The new coalition !
The back to work legislation requires the support of the Liberals. if that support doesnt comes the liberals like McGuinty are dead in the water come the next election....

Ambrose knows! ;o)

Mechanic's wife
Finally! Please let OC become an essential service so we never, ever, have to go through another strike again.

I just want this to end...

Go Rona Ambrose Go!

Mike
Well...The latest news is the Feds are going to legislate back to work for the drivers. It's about time, good job...make it pass quickly, to end this joke.

My heart goes out to the many people who have suffered through this too long strike fiasco.

Your days are numbered Cornellier...when it passes, they'll throw you out on your head. What a thought that is...lol

Don
Just like in Toronto, why isn't the provincial government legislating them back, instead of the feds? The ontario liberals have a majority, and as such, do not need any support from the opposition.

Old lady
Let's see what Ambrose will do this time (last time, she was all talk).

Can we have the drivers on ATU 279 fired? What are the legalities on this? Before that are rude and they are still rude. Can we get them to enroll on some courtesy course?

Brocklebank, Ottawa
I would have preferred to have the two side negotiate an agreement.

But there are unsettled issues. The public has been engaged but we have not been well informed.

I want to see the precise text of the former agreement between the city and the union. Presumably that agreement spelled out clearly issues such as scheduling.

I think both sides have manipulated public opinion by providing incomplete or distorted information.

For example, the city claims that they need federal regulation to limit the number of consecutive hours that a driver can be at the wheel. I don't believe it. Does the contract really demand that the employer let the employee work an unlimited number of consecutive hours?

I'm in favour of getting transit moving again but that is not enough. We need to be told the truth by both sides.

Greg H. in Ottawa
To Dave:

"Every other transit fleet in the Country has Operator selected schedules."

Your extraneous capitalization aside, what I think you meant to say is that "no other transit fleet in the country has operator-selected schedules."

I'll chalk that up to a typo on your part

Wayne - Cumberland
A new dress code for the drivers when they get back to work would be nice. Examples: No driving with cowboy boots. No talking to customers while chewing on toothpicks. No reading newspapers while driving. Haircuts are a must - ditch the pony tails (unless female). No slopping egg salad sandwiches on your lap at red lights. No cellphone calls to wives/girlfriends while driving. All drivers should be wearing ties and clean shirts. No cutting nails with jack knives while stopped at red lights.

Monique Trapani
It's about time the Feds decide to step in now that everybody has been so negatively impacted ... the fact that they say it would take at least another couple of weeks once legislation is passed before the buses get on the road is crap - they were all 'safe' the day before the strike that's just another delay tactic ... just get these drivers back to work so that the rest of us poor pawns in this game of egos can get back to work as well

Noobsauce
The union is the only organization in the city that wants the transit strike to continue. Do the people? No. Does the city? No, it's bad for business. Every one of the people who have been discussing if it is deemed an essential service or not probably owns a vehicle. I'll vote Larry back in for finally saying no.

ATU279! You drive buses! You aren't brain surgeons. Years of schooling required to be a bus driver?: N/A.

WOO HOO - back to work legislation!
WOOOOHOOO!!! The ATU is going to get legislated back to work! Fantastic news.

Thank you, thank you. thank you Mayor and City Council for not giving in. I will be voting for you because of your strength in not giving in on the corrupt scheduling scam.

Once the ATU is back to work, we need to organize a huge show of support for privatizing OC Transpo.

Sometimes evil bullies don't win after all!

Fahid
Let's just FIRE the OC Transpo drivers and be done with it. Privatized OC Transpo.

Remember not to re-elect Ambrose, the Mayor, and incumbent councillors for doing nothing.

It's really been hard for us looking for jobs because of them.

R. S.
Welcome step by the government. The government should intervene on this matters. We all should leave no stone unturned to end the strike. We should never support the union leaders who are after their selfish interest. Becuase of the strike, we have suffered a lot. We have already lost jobs and other things. The strike must end soon.

Thank you mayor and city
So Andre and ATU, your hostage-taking plan didn't work!!!

YOU REALLY BLEW IT ATU.

Thank you Mayor and City for standing up to the ATU on behalf of all the hostages of Ottawa. You have my vote.

Thank you Federal governement for doing what is right.

Next, let's all rally to have OC Transpo privatised.

BACK TO WORK LEGISLATION - YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul
Oh, I get it! To HELL with half a million citizens of YOUR city, but with the upcoming visit from the States' resurrected Christ(Obama), the feds wouldn't dare risk protests, embarrassment or the slightest delay in getting Barack's Abrams Tank Limo from the airport to Harper's house. Thanks for your consideration, Rona. Major change in stances in just a week?? Hurry and make an appointment to get your hair done for the big day, sweety! Oh, and go ahead and put that on your expense account...it's on us!(obviously).

City of fools
Finally! I can stop reading the idiot postings here calling for firings, mass hiring, privatization and every other fool-view of what should be done. It is enough to make one doubt that democracy can ever work -- luckily, the 'popular' view may be loud, but isn't actually acted on ...

Mark Walton, Ottawa
"shawn
'Anyone know why the Federal gov't is introducing this legislation and not the provincial gov't?"

As has often been posted here before: OC Transpo operates into Quebec, so it's under federal labor law. The same applies to the STO, which also crosses the Ontario-Quebec border, and Transit Windsor, which operates the Windsor-Detroit tunnel buses. The TTC and all other Ontario transit systems operate entirely within Ontario, so they're under Ontario labor law.

CIRB
List of CIRB

Does anyone know the following individuals ??? I bet not one of these individuals take the bus ...

Full-time members
Elizabeth MacPherson, Chairperson
(Term ending December 31, 2012)

Graham J. Clarke, Vice-Chairperson
(Term ending April 22, 2012)

Louise Fecteau, Vice-Chairperson
(Term ending September 30, 2011)

Judith F. MacPherson, Vice-Chairperson
(Term ending December 16, 2012)

Claude Roy, Vice-Chairperson
(Term ending March 2, 2013)

John Bowman, Member
(Term ending October 31, 2010)

Herman Champagne, Member
(Term ending July 1, 2010)

Daniel Charbonneau, Member
(Term ending March 28, 2010)

Patrick J. Heinke, Member
(Term ending May 10, 2011)

André Lecavalier, Member
(Term ending December 17, 2009)

Norman Rivard, Member
(Term ending January 14, 2010)
Part-time members
Richard I. Hornung, Vice-Chairperson
(Term ending June 26, 2010)

ATU member
Thank God its almost over. We're all relieved aswell( even know you might not think we are). But we won't be essential so if issues are not worked out by this process, we might be doing this again in future contracts. But we all hope not. Noone likes to strike. Not even the employees that are on it. I'm sure alot of you will be in atleast one strike in your life. So lets hope that everything goes through without a hitch and we can go back to work.

Hank
Government has declared OC Transpo as being non-essential therefore there is no need for buses in Ottawa according to the government. I'm looking for a cottage to drive to my lot and renovate (articulated bus). Let me know when the auction starts.

no name
I think Obama is coming so the Fed are moving in the dont want him to see want is going on are the crazy I took five buses to work i help out seniors If i didnt get adrive back and forth to work I would be at home and no money coming in how would i pay bills or food

Malcolm
Let's give President Obama one of our buses as a gift when he visits Ottawa on Feb. 19th.

Deb in tired of OC abuse Ottawa
Tired of the BS....
It is an essential service. Get rid of the old and hire new, people that will be more than happy to have a good paying job and not abuse it. DON'T BACK DOWN LARRY! I know people are hating on you but if you back down down this city will continue to be abused every time someones contract negotiations come up. We are all suffering but we have lasted it out this long don't give in now!
Maybe if OC had a better leader one that cared about the city and it's drivers, this would of been ended by now.
Make it essential or give them all their walking papers. See who has the last laff.........Get a life and go back to work!

Ted Howe
this city and government is a complete write off...how is it now an essential service and 50 days ago it wasnt? give me a break....this makes all of Canada look like a joke...the transit union and its leaders are ridiculous...but the more ridiculous thing is that the goverment took so long to do anything at all while ppl and hadicapped suffered (I had to walk to work and it sucked....but others were in much a much worse position)

EJB
EJB

Can't believe this, not one of you above has the nerves to show up at the suppose rally on Parliament Hill on Monday. No, just sit at home bitch about it all in the comfort of your home, while some of us, do show up to the rally we are a population of approx 895,000 and a few dozen people show up. Wow1 what is wrong with you do you except anyone to listen to two dozen people. We needed your support.

NO.C Transpo rider.
Just heard that business property tax bills are not being sent out until April. What about residential property tax bills? Better still I think that we should all refuse to pay our property taxes or deduct the cost of two months of transit passes, per person per household. Finally send send in the difference maybe some time in June!!!! HOW WOULD LARRY AND HIS COHORTS LIKE THAT!!!

Dr Mike
Where are the leaders and who had the public's interests at heart. The Union and their monosylabic leader Cornnellier have held the city at ransom. Union members are suffering so Cornellier is in dire need of a coup.
The city looks on it as a ,break the union affair. And the Feds have had their paid 2 month nap...welcome back..did oyu use any of your 55 trips for two anywhere in Canada perks ?
And the Labour Relations Board... are they a Rip van Winkle mob...folks buses are essential.
Someone will be badly injured or worse on a bike, then the self serving crowd will wake up. Time for change for sure.

Peter the Driver
I just want to get back to work. Has caused enough hardship to the public and my family (who also depends on OC transpo). My Colleagues - get ready...shall go back and make some real money in this economic slowdown. Arbritration with or without schduling is the way to go. I dont benifit a dime from scheduling anyways..

Elliot Maslow
Damn...it's about time. Let's hope this treachery never again occurs

Girjesh
It is all the Mayors fault and he wanted to cut public transportation from the beginning, but needed a strike to make it legitimate. He has already talked about privatizing certain aspects of public transportation as well as Ottawa Hydro. This is the Mike Harris common sense revolution on a smaller level.

Funny
Legislation is coming and I should say it's about time. Oh! Obama is also coming shortly. Imagine the KAOS a popular head of state and nobody can come to see him because of no buses. Coincidence I think not. I hope the binding arbritation is firm in its decisions and shows bus drivers that this kind of political settlement is not something you will ever want to have happen again.

Rachel
Wait, the NDP wants to delay the back-to-work legislation?? WHAT? They think that more could still be done? We have already had 50 DAYS of negotiations, and nothing has happened!! People are suffering, but they want to DELAY bringing back the buses?

I can't believe I voted NDP in the last election - clearly they don't care about their substituents at all. I am NEVER voting NDP again.

And we wonder why people laugh at Ottawans
The only reason the feds are getting involved is because President Obama confirmed that he's coming to Ottawa on Feb 19. Thanks Mr President for helping us out since our own elected officials can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

bargain hunter
Look on the bright side of things, I'm sure everyone has lost a few holiday pounds! We could all afford to loose a few.
Now we can go shopping for some great clothes at a reduced price.

Jim
OC Transpo deemed non- essential? Feds meeting to legislate drivers back to work? !!!??? I think I'll go for another beer.

Tax Payer
Tax Payer:

Those bus drivers went to Vegas or Florida for vacation during the strike absconded from duty and should be fired.

Chris from ottawa
And all through the house, it was a buzz, no fooling,
As the federal ministers did something worth doing!
And Ambrose she reversed her decision without care,
While the foul stench of idiocy hung still in the air.
“Both sides are too far apart and talks are not moving,”
She said with conviction, with purpose, thus proving:
The feds, it seems, aren’t a bad lot at all,
That is, when the coalition is beginning to fall….
And so dear citizens, I write you this thought
That all parties worth is measured in aught (noun, means nothing; look it up!!!)
But perhaps, methinks, there’s something more to this drama,
Was there some more behind this dilemma?
Though sure I don’t know, absolute I don’t care,
I just want this ended I’m cold to what’s fair.
And so kind Ottawa, I bid you adieu,
And flip a kind bird to the city and ATU.

Catherine Kelly - Ottawa
This is the fourth bus strike I can remember. At the moment I am not working but I think this strike has affected me more than the others because of all the hardship being suffered by those who are unable to go about their daily lives - getting to work, school and doctor's appointments. I worked in Ottawa for 40 years, getting to work by bus almost for every job. I depended on the drivers to deliver me safely where I needed to go to earn a living and to do the job I was hired to do. I just do not understand how the Canada Industrial Relations Board (or anyone else) can say that a transit system is not essential, especially in a city with our climate. Whatever it takes, please get the buses back on the roads and make sure they stay there.

Tom in Orleans
amazing what a visit from the president of the United States will do for us. There is no way the government wants a transit strike while trying to provide security

Baker, Ottawa
Did anyone actually watch the news story on this issue? You wouldnt be thanking Rona Ambrose, if you did. You'd be thanking, of ALL people, Dalton McGuinty. He sent a letter to Harper asking for help, and the Liberals demanded an emergency debate on the issue. ONLY then did Ambrose get her butt in gear and jump on the bandwagon as it rapidly left the floor and headed for the media. Huh.
Well, whoever, I dont care. Just happy to hear that there may be an end to this now.
Who wants to take bets on whether the city and the ATU will miraculously come to an agreement now that the Feds are involved and breathing down their necks?

MB in Ottawa
Obama coming here as everything to do with it. I think that they do not care about anyone,, I am happy that I am not a city bus driver!!!!!! They will be told so much on their way back in to work,, they go off on sick leave!!!

Shawn
Isn't it kind of coincidental that the same day they announce Barrak Obama is visiting Ottawa (Feb. 19), Rona Ambrose gets off her butt and decides to contemplate legislating the drivers back to work? Let's see ... debate Thursday night, get Parliament vote for legislation Friday, drivers and mechanics back to work by the middle of next week, then one week to get buses back on the road. That should give the city just enough time to clean up a 50+ day mess. Oh, you have such great timing Ms. Ambrose.

Helen
With the media ban, the public is in the dark as to what is involved with legislating the drivers back to work?
If it is passed in the House Of Commons, we know that the buses will start rolling again, but what are the contingencies that we will be forced to go through a strike at the same time every year until their contract is settled.

Ottawa have rude drivers
The ATU always hired bascially unkind drivers in the past. It no wonder Mr. Cornellier is one of them. For example last fall a woman at Lebreton asked the driver if this westbound bus goes to Lincoln Fields while stopping. This was the 95 route that does go there and the driver said to her "Look at the map instead!" and then shut the door on her. Does this represent good manners for directions to tourists in this city? Sadly this is one exmaple why Ottawa is the most unkind city in Canada. Before sending the original drivers back to work. Everyone of them must take a customer relations course. If they don`t abide then replace them with non-unionized sensible drivers.

Peter
Ha!!Ha!!!Ha!!!

A driver from ATU, I guess we won thats what we wanted for the goverment. City 0 ATU is number 1.

See you loser back to work when I pick you up. P.S. keep your good morning to yourself

OC Driver - Jennifer
I am a driver with 4 years experience:

I want to go back to work!
I voted to go back to work!
I do not support the ATU!
I am disgusted with Andre!
I am now embarrassed to be an OC Driver.

Thanks a lot ATU....

mark
so why is it that the transit is essential in To ,but here it is not. this relations board is a bunch of wing nuts

Paq
I knew that they would not deem them a essential service. These are the people that won't grant paramedics an essential service. So why would they grant the buses

Saad Fahir
Ambrose, will you FIRE the drivers?

The city I used to live before are not allowed to have this strike since it would bring hardship to the citizens. They are permitted to limit the amount of service though while they negotiate their contract.

Sue
Question: What is the difference between Ottawa and other citys that prevents us from declaring our public transit an essential service? Answer: We are the Capital of Canada and we can do what we want at the expense of every man, women, child; regardless! We don't discriminate :-)

Shamoon of Trim Rd.
To ATU 279: You need to get realistic and stop this nonsense. You need to stop this strike!!

To the Mayor/Councillors: Find ways to ease up the hardship of your citizens. I'm thinking if it's worth to re-elect you as we are still suffering. I just lost my job and having difficulty going around. I'm paying my property tax for this nonsense. Do not give in to ATU 279.

Maybe what the other guys here have said regarding PRIVATIZATION is good for OC Transpo. I do not think so but what we got isn't working (e.g. high cost of bus tickets, expensive services, etc.).

LGA
How about using some of the billions of bail-out/stimulus/budget money to hire drivers who actually want to work and let the rest freeze.

Meh Smith
I feel sorry for all the folks this strike has affected. From the business losing customers, the student trying to get an education, even the families of the striking workers & the mechanics. However, I do love being able to get around certain parts of the city without some of these offensive technique drivers ready to run you off the road in a side swipe. How about the ones that don’t signal on the 2 lane jump? I sure don’t miss looking at a grill 6” from my bumper. Meh.

Tom
Comment: Thanks to Minister Ambrose and Premier McGuinty.

Question: How does one go about declaring the CIRB [Canada's "Industrial Relations Board"] an inessential service?

Post-script: If the NDP *really* cared about the plight of the disenfranchized, they would *not* be criticizing today's decisions. Shame on you Paul Dewar!

Andrea
It is about damn time!

Garage Worker
Legislate me back to work, enough of this BS.

Bill
Shaun

It's a federal matter because the buses cross provincial boundaries. Only three transit systems are govern by the federal govt. They are Ottawa, Gatineau, and Windsor.

schpid
Yet another reason why the Bloc and NDP should be run out of Parliament. I guess we should expect to hear both of these "leaders" refusing to support any initiative placed forward in anything related to National affairs. Shameful and disrespectful to ALL Canadians

Susan
I note that President Obama is now scheduled to visit Ottawa on February 19th - can this be why Rona Ambrose is finally willing to take some action?
I'll believe it when I see the buses back on the road but it appears that one does have to own a car to survive in Ottawa.

John of Orleans
To MP Rona Ambrose: Can you just privatize portions of OC Transpo? If not, maybe you can just FIRE all drivers.

If that is still not possible, I liked some of the suggestions made here ... like maybe we can put in the contract to have them take some courtesy courses (with us bus riders evaluating them --- their pay is dependent on this).

Frozen Walker
How about posting a comment on the NDP site (http://www.ndp.ca/contact) to suggest them to vote with the government to end this strike?

If the NDP (and the Bloc) does not support Ms. Ambrose legislation it will take weeks/months to have this sorted out.

The NDP has rejected the budget because "Budget fails to protect most vulnerable, create and safeguard jobs"... well, shouldn't they be in favor to end this strike as well?

But something tells me they will be tempted to vote against the government and in favor of unions... let's pressure them!

Stefan P
For some reason the NDP and Bloc are always in the same boat they are always agreeing with each other. We have two separtiat parties. They don't care for no body.

Shalome Duraro (pinecrest)
ATU 279 is to be blamed (particularly the drivers).

Mayor and Councillors are to be blamed for doing nothing.

But ATU 279 union leaders and the almost 70% who voted to keep striking are the worst kind of people here in Ottawa. They do not care for anybody but themselves. I bet the drivers who volunteered earlier to help are the ones who voted on the 30% side (voted YES to contract). The rest are just greedy and selfish. They're probably the same arrogant, rude drivers that we encouter everytime we board buses. It really fits their descriptions --- they choose this time of year (winter season) since they are cold and heartless. I would agree that they need to be fired.

Steve (new to the city)
Okay, so now the Rona Ambrose is pushing for back-to-work legislation and we get to be held hostage yet again by 2 thirds of the 3 stooges. What does Quebec care, their buses still come to Ontario and get the privilege of having their own bus lanes. Pro Union NDP and Bloc will gladly screw the average non union Joe to ensure unions flourish. And Layton say's he stand for the average Canadian; Bull!!! The sooner we can get rid of these idiots the better. Get these buses running then deal with the issues. Make it a confidence vote and see what happens!

Reid Guenette.
I guess Rona Ambrose,s coffee finally kicked in. Or is She worried about Her job now that She has angered most of the legal voters ? I,m afraid it is too late now, the People will not forget when the next Election comes around.

Peggy from Ottawa
So Jack Layton says his party will oppose back to work legislation, seems to me it was a different story when it happened in Toronto last year (where his riding is) , at that time he put his support behind back to work legislation for the TTC. I guess it isn't important to him when it is not happening in his own riding.

DisGraced
Where is the humanity in any of these? Essential meaning what? People need to go to work, school, appointments, shopping, etc. Is this not essential? For the union, it is beyond "inconvenience", it is shameful and inhumane!!!
Who is running this city.. obviously the "wrong people", there never is a problem taking our money and increasing taxes. Absolutely, they should be legislated back to work!!!

VH
Public transit is an essential service. These unions don't care who they inconvenience, and should not have the right to strike.

If they know that their contract is coming to an end, they need to start negotiating a new one 6-12 months in advance, depending on how long negotiations on their previous contracts have taken.

Aliza
About time. It shouldn't take seven weeks for transit strikers to be legislated back. Why are Ottawa's public and businesses allowed to suffer for months while Toronto, Montreal, etc get their transit back in a matter of days? We're the fifth largest city in the country.

I hope Ottawa's voters remember that the Mayor, some city councilors, and some politicians don't deserve their jobs. And as for the drivers? 100K, 9% raise over three years-- in this climate, while most taxpayers are getting 1% from the federal government (those who are lucky enough to have job security)? Beyond disgusting. I hope the legislation ROLLS BACK the negotiated terms, in punishment for this disgusting behaviour on their part. There is no excuse.

Ottawa Tax Payer
People of Ottawa, if the Feds cannot handle a simple Bus strike then fire the Conservative Party of Canada in the next election. It is an essential servive just like Montreal or Toronto. If they cannot figure this out there is no way they should be trusted to handle billions of dollars.

Tom
COMMENT: Thank you for your emphatic 'suggestion' Mr. Premier. Thanks too (a bit more) to Minister Ambrose.

QUESTION: How does one go about declaring the CIRB (Canada's "Industrial Relations Review Board") an inessential service?

POST-SCRIPT: If the NDP *really* cared about the plight of the downtrodden and disenfranchized, they would not be vociferously opposing today's developments.

Derek Wasson
Just watched the clip on the news, These guys are getting paid one hundred thousand a year to drive bus and they are on strike because the don't like their shifts?? Auto workers getting paid 80/hr? And people wonder why the economy is swirling the toilet? Don't get me wrong, Unions have their place and usefulness, however they really need to shake their heads and come down from their ivory towers.

Peggy from Ottawa
correction to my earlier post it would have been Howard Hampton (I believe) that supported back to work legislation in the TTC strike last year, not Jack Layton

still....same party

J L
Wendy Santo, you can't sue the union because they are not under contract. They have as much of an obligation to provide transit service as you or I do - none.

The city on the other hand...

Glad to see the minister is taking action...hopefully this sends soon.

Dave in Ottawa
Q-What do you call an OCTranspo bus with a driver behind the wheel?

A-A stolen vehicle.

Today I came across something that made this strike bearable. You can find it here,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhsEa1NuPuQ

It's over Bus drivers
Sorry bus drivers! You could've take the last offer that the city of ottawa offered you.... But no...you all are just being greedy and selfish... Now, As you can see drivers.. When you come back to work... Alot of riders won't Respect you... They will DISRESPECT! for a fact you're all are just bunch of money chaser... Mr. President of the Union... You just want fame in Ottawa... Embarassment... hmm

This has got to end
Just to reply to one comment in particular, it is noted by one poster that people who have added comments to this board: "don't know legalities. You don't know what's going on behind closed doors. You don't know the issues first hand." Right.

All the citizens of Ottawa know is that:

1. Seniors, the unemployed, minimum wage earners and lots of other folks who pay way too much money for drivers to do their "jobs" are out of luck;

2. The drivers are overpaid anyway and this strike is all about greed;

3. Andre Cornellier is a dork;

4. Our tax dollars should not be squandered on a so-called "non-essential" service and they should privatise OC Transpo.

5. You don't know what you are talking about since you probably follow M. Mercier's example and drive into work each day.

Any other questionable comments? Didn't think so ...

Sahbaz
Shawn,

it's been said numerous times: Some OC Transpo routes cross over to Gatineau (Quebec), therefore the provincial government (Ontario) does not play a role in dealing with the Ottawa transit system's issues.

Wait_till_april
by April and the snow starts melting and if the strike continues nobody is going to care. SO i hope that happens so the city won't give in to the Union's demands and they go hire new people

Aliza in Ottawa
To those who say there's no real harm caused by the bus strike, here's a partial list:

* people who live in suburbs unable to get to classes, work (too far to walk/bike)

* severe gridlock on the roads (plus environmental damage from vehicles idling for hours)

* people walking 1.5+ hours/day in the bitter cold if they live "close" to where they need to go

* businesses suffering, and some teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, letting employees go, through no fault of their own.

* people trapped in their homes. This means reduced social contacts-- and likely creation/deepening of depression in some cases

* sharp increase in the number of collisions (according to a major local body shop), caused by (a) more cars on the road, (b) the city no longer plowing major roads during storms, and (c) people who aren't used to driving having to drive. Not all these are minor-- which means there are injuries, even deaths.

* people are grumpy and less courteous than usual. You see that on the road, and those who work in the service sectors are seeing it. This affects all our quality of life.

* people are spending money on taxis, gas, parking that they had not budgeted. Unlike bus drivers, most earn far, far less than $100K/year; this creates severe financial hardships for many.

* to avoid traffic jams, people are radically shifting hours of work, which adversely affects quality of life

Those are just a few of the repercussions. I'm sure other posters here can add to the list. So yes, public transit is critical-- even those who (like me) drive to work anyway.

Here's hoping a fiscally sensible contract, and new drivers. Maggie Thatcher was right to break the unions!

PS If the drivers think they'll be treated with respect by riders, they're delusional

Ticked-off in Orleans
How on earth does the Canada Industrial Relations Board determine that the publicly funded transportation system of the nation's capital can be shut down and pose no threat to the public's health and safety? Can they not even read the horror stories that have been in the papers of how people have been affected by this strike? If it's not an essential service, let's stop any further public funding to OC Transpo, and come to think of it, why not also dispense of this tribunal which costs taxpayers over $15.5 million annually according to their web site!

Andy
Shawn

Because, if you'd have actually read the article, our buses cross the provincial border into Quebec and therefore are under Federal jurisdiction.

Hannah
ooooo maaan! even if oc transpo drivers get back to work, something bads gonna happen to them. citizens wont be too happy!

Alex Seay
Please show me any other place of employment where the union members get to choose when they work. The city is the employer and the union are the employees. Employers set work schedules. Shut up and work get another job, if you think you can

Rebecca BunchoMorons!
I find it extremely funny how everyone is so outraged and saying how we will have our say come election time...Ha! nothing will change we will have another minority government and ottawa will remain the laughing stock of Canada for the first time in my life im ashamed to say im from ottawa! Give the drivers a choice get back to work or hit the road! Its essential stop messing around and put your foot down for the love of all that is holly!

roy says c'mon people.think why Rona reconsidered
People, don't thank Rona, the only reason why she is reconsidering the bozos back to work is because 22 days from now President Obama will be in town and they don't want to look like spineless in front of the world!!! This is the only reason why she's doing it..for her boss and for her party!!!! Imagine the reporters and people who wants to see the President without any transportation?...Think about it!!! Don't thank her, thank the President!!!

Steve-0
Do not hold your breath.....Ndp and the bloc had this to say'

The Bloc Quebecois and the NDP have said they will not support the legislation.

Will take longer than a week or two now...thanks gilles and Jack Layton....so lame....

watching the play-by-play
Well, well. After several periods of Larry and Andre mixing it up they may both be yanked, to sit in the penalty box, steam coming off them as they softly curse. I'm thinking multi-game suspension and a boot down to the minors.

Here's to hoping we can end this long and particularly gruelling game soon.

To my fellow citizens: you take all Three Stars. You've been stellar, for the most part, during this event. Cheers.

Karen Copeland
A few days ago the minister of the lovely hair (Ms Ambrose) did not take much interest in the number of strike days that people in Ottawa had experienced (only a few days ago!!!!). I find it striking that President Obama's announcement of a visit on February 19th seems to coincide with her newly found enthusiasm regarding getting service back to long suffering Ottawa bus riders. Rona, you should be ashamed of yourself! You show your concern only when it benefits your party.

It would be nice to find someone in the federal party, the city or the union who actually gives a damn about the people in this city (Why can't we be under provincial control like most other cities with significant transit???).

Next time we have a transit strike, I suggest we bus riders band together and invite a few celebrities to the city. How about Bono or the Dalai Lama or hey how about Al Gore, who has made global warning his new vocation. Perhaps he would have put some pressure on Ottawa to cut down on car emissions.

Clearly nobody in the federal or municipal governments care about the poor the elderly or the sick. People have lost their jobs, missed vital appointments with their doctors and how about the students who have already dropped out of their university programs. The city has let so many people down. I find it insulting that only 4 bus drivers out of 2300 actually made an effort to drive some people around ONCE to an event. I know that a lot of people including myself have taken on a new role as taxi driver to make sure that family and friends can make it to their jobs. Not everyone has these connections and that is something the city doesn't understand.

Anna aka just another frustrated student, Ottawa
Good to know the fed finally care about us stranded citizens and crippled city. Hope it's genuine and has nothing to do with the fact it's finally personally affecting them since they are back in Ottawa from yet another holiday.

But, whatever. I'm just glad it's a step forward. I'm so angry and tired and losing motivation to get to class.

Peter Keene
So the NDP and Bloc wont support getting those lazy bastards back to work, and i thought the NDP was all about "the people" LMAO Layton is just angry at not getting a chance to get into power...

Chris at Ottawa
Good move!

I hope the legislation should take the scheduling back to city and cap the increase at a reasonable level.

Jane
Why would the feds consider legislation when they declared OC Transpo a non-essential service?

James L.
Cornelier will be more like Corned Beef after this is over. Don't we all hate their union now?

Union wins
HA HA HA LARRY YOU MUST BE PANICING!! NOW THAT YOU HAVE NO MORE CONTROL IN THIS DISPUTE.YOU AND COUNCIL NOW LOOSE BIG TIME. BE PREPARED TO PAY UP NOW THAT ARBITRATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. ATU WINS CHECKMATE. SEE YOU GUYS IN THE SHOP NEXT WEEK. GOOD SHOW ANDRE AND RANDY.

James
Back to work legislation is being introduced. This doesn't mean it is a sure thing.

Everyone should e-mail their MPs to persuade them to back the legislation.

Also send an e-mail to Rona Ambrose and the PM.

clayton
Hey Bus Driver in Florida. BACK TO WORK LEGISLATION..haha too funny.. You should pack your bags and get back to work so you can PICK your shifts ..LMAO ...FUNNY how things work out in the end Ottawa residents a salute all of you ..you're the best..BTW to the governor General ..you should give out a medal of bravery to all the ottawa residents ..cheers ..

BTW ..bus driver in Florida better get a shovel at wall mart ..who that;s right all the money yo scammed from Ottawa in you overtime BS got you a snowblower ..sorry my bad ....

End the Strike Now, Voluntarily to End Suffering!
If the city council and the union leaders have a heart, they should voluntarily accept binding arbitration and end the strike NOW, since that's what the federal government is going to impose anyway!

This will end the suffering immediately, for the federal government's actions may take some time.

Lee - 'Da Bay
Privatize OC Transpo - then you can fire the lot.

I know, it happened to my Dad when the Union said Strike - they closed the plant down and a whole slue of people were left with 'nothing'.

Be happy you have a job in this day and age - but wait!!, you people are causing people to lose their jobs and education. Get real and stop being greedy!

marie ottawa
I think to be fair to her, she didnt want to react and force this until there seemed no other way since it is pretty drastic. I am encouraged by it but ultimately wondering how long before we see a 97 going down the transit way? sick of driving to and from downtown every day.

George
For the ones screaming that "Ottawa is such a joke" or "Ottawa is the laghing stock of Canada" I am having one advice; Pack up your suitcase and go somewhere else. The most useless action during hard times, such as these, is to criticize instead of participating in the solution process. A strike affecting the public may happen anywhere, regardless of how the service is being considered.
AS for the politicians all what I can say is that, finally there is some action.

UNBELIEVABLES STRIKE
So Federal Labour Minister Rona Ambrose suddenly decides that she is "prepared to introduce back-to-work legislation" because "it's clear to me that the strike has gone on too long" !!!!!

Rona, did it REALLY need 7 weeks of Canada's National Capital city's public transportation strike...in the middle of winter...for you and your government to conclude that maybe it had gone on too long?!!!

And exactly WHEN did this become clear to you?...Could it have been just after US President Obama's mid-February 2009 visit to Canada was confirmed?!!!

What a strange coincidence that after 7 long and debilitating weeks of NO CITY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, you are suddenly prepared to 'step up to the chalk board and erase the bus strike'...just before US President Barack Obama graces our city!!!

Sorry!!! We OC Transpo-reliant commuters and city tax-payers WILL NOT be able to erase from OUR chalk boards QUITE so easily...

our memories of the lack of integrity and commitment by YOU Federal and Ontario governments, Mayor Larry O'Brien and Ottawa City Council, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board and the ATU, to resolve this bus strike on our behalf...

Neither will we OC Transpo-reliant commuters and city tax-payers be able to erase from our individual and collective memories...

the mental, physical, financial and logistical nightmares that we have been subjected to throughout the bus strike!!!

You all have hidden agendas, and we can see through your political posturing, which has not gone unnoticed.

We will not forget this, when you are standing for re-election.

gerry
Funny how the fed govt intervenes in a transit dispute in Ottawa, ordering the bus drivers back to work. A similar transit strike in Calgary several years back dragged on for several months (longer than in Ottawa) with no movement from either the City or union. Both were determined to break each other, despite the vast amount of hardship the strike was causing ordinary Calgarians. The only measure that the City insituted was a shuttle bus (one school bus) from a parking lot close to downtown to the downtown but it was so badly managed by council that no one, including those in its Transit dept, knew where its bus stops were in the city to take it (City of Calgary management at its finest). I remember speaking with a alderman, Joe Ceci about this strike and he passed off my concerns by stating "the City has no legal obligation to provide transit to its citizens". He drove a car to work. How is this strike any different and why did the fed govt not intervene in Calgary and other similar strikes?

Dennis R
Better late than not at all it is said: Thank you Hon. Rona Ambrose, just to bad it took you so long to see the error of your ways. Now I hope you will talk to the IRB and use what if any pressure you can put on them to make OC Transpo an essential Service Providder.

These jerks can't see the trees for the forest unless you hold their hand and show them.

It is in Toronto, Montreal and other cities I am told so what is different in Ottawa?

Essential Service is not about health and safety as much as it is about the service, if there was two other bus services operating as well then no problem, having said that we only have OC and when they go on strike we have nothing which means they hold the city for ransom!

But let's look at the health & safety issue, if you can't get to your Doctor appointments, Hospital, get to your bank to get money for food and to pay your bills, Hydro, Gas, Oil, Bell and on and on is a HEALTH ISSUE, Can't get food, No Heat And on and on!

So Rona we still need your help with these modern day theives who stole our X Mas, New Years and all the days until it's over for good and we Ottawa never has to go there agian, or will we?

Fed up
To anyone out there who thinks that privatization is the answer, I can certainly understand why it's easy to suggest this - I am as sick of the strike as the next person - but think of it this way:

We've all read or heard that the City is saving a LOT of money with the buses off the roads (I've heard something like 3 million a week) which means that they are operating the bus system at a loss whenever the buses ARE on the road.

On the flip side, privately run companies by definition run a business for profit - so to cover any foreseeable losses means either a reduction in service or a sharp increase in the price of passes / tickets; increases that could potentially exceed the previous spike in the cost of a bus pass that came down last July.

My biggest fear is that this will all happen again in another 3 years because back-to-work legislation and binding arbitration are not going to make either side very happy in the long run.

John Baird was right when he said that long-term it would be best for the two sides to come to an agreement, it's just too bad that Andre and Larry have drawn some pretty think lines in the sand.