ATU Local 1587, Miller Transit reach tentative agreement

NEWMARKET - The Regional Municipality of York has been notified that a tentative agreement has been reached today between Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 and YRT/Viva contracted operator Miller Transit. The union will recommend the offer and bring it before their membership for a vote Saturday, January 28.

 

“This tentative agreement in addition to the York BRT Services ratification vote today demonstrates how meaningful negotiations deliver results,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “This is another step in the right direction toward restoring full service for riders and an opportunity for drivers to vote to return to work immediately.”

 

Southeast Division routes operated by Miller Transit remain unavailable at this time.

 

Operators and mechanics employed by York BRT Services, operator of five Viva routes in York Region, voted today to accept a new four-year collective agreement with their employer. Reintroduction of Viva routes is expected to begin Saturday, February 4.

 

Additionally, York Regional Council today awarded a new operations and maintenance contract to TOK Transit Limited for the operation of YRT/Viva’s North Division starting February 4 with a complete phased-in return of service over the coming weeks.

 

The Region will provide additional service resumption details as they become available, including the start date of the minimum one month free service period.

 

The YRT/Viva strike began October 24, 2011 between ATU Local 1587, ATU Local 113 and YRT/Viva contracted operators Miller Transit, First Canada and York BRT Services. York Region does not have the contractual right to order the parties to arbitration in this dispute, and Regional Council has been clear in its position not to request back-to-work legislation from the Provincial Government or support binding arbitration as a means to end the YRT/Viva strike.

 

YRT/Viva continues to assist transit riders with travel options through the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978). Ongoing updates are available on www.yrt.ca  and www.york.ca Residents can also follow York Region on Twitter @YorkRegionGovt and Facebook www.facebook.com/YorkRegion

 

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Media Contact: Kim MacGillivray, Corporate Communications, York Region
 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1209 • Cell: 905-251-6412 • kim.macgillivray@york.ca