A Slap in the Face

April 26, 2008 - As I write this, the TTC is on strike, after its members rejected the latest deal that was negotiated between the Union and the City. That deal would have seen a 3% annual wage increase for three years, plus a "me-too" clause that would see the TTC drivers make the most out of all transit operators in the GTA.

The strike took the city by surprise as many had thought all strike threats were over after a deal was struck last weekend. Instead, the Union decided to go on strike at midnight, leaving the City with almost no warning and stranding thousands of people everywhere.

I'm not sure how negotiations will go - but the way the TTC walked off the job was a slap in the face to Torontonains. Their "48 hour" strike warning proved to be a lie - and worse, they couldn't even wait until most bus/subway service shut down at 2:30 am.

Though I'm sure the Province will step in and force the TTC back to work before Monday morning's rush hour, the fact that Union continues to hijack the city will not help with the Transit Union's image. If they are worried about insults and threats from passengers, just wait till they hear what people are saying on the street today.

Next week, should transit service returns, I will blog about the disaster that is our new cheesy and cheap looking Museum Station (which I finally had a chance to see for myself last week).