The TTC is the poster child for a union who should not have the right to strike. Everyday the TTC is used by approximately 1.5 million people. The City of Toronto cannot function without an operational transit system. The residents of Toronto cannot get to their jobs and earn a living with the TTC on strike. If that is not the definition of an essential service, then I don’t know what is.

Union President Bob Kinnear, a megalomaniac and bully, pranced around beating his chest in victory last week when he declared that he accepted an agreement that made no concessions. The TTC didn’t get a good deal, they got a deal that what utterly stupid for the people of Toronto. If the TTC got everything that they wanted, then why wouldn’t the union members ratify the agreement? Instead they rejected the sweetheart deal and went out on strike at midnight on Friday night with a mere 90 minutes notice instead of the 48 hours notice that was promised. Countless numbers of people were left stranded all over the city. Others woke to the news on Saturday morning with no means to get to their jobs.

Some say that the deal was rejected because mechanics were concerned about job security because new bus repairs are covered on warranty and not the responsibility of the TTC. Another theory is that the maintenance workers were very upset that they didn’t get the “highest paid” clause that the drivers got. The reality is that David Miller gave away the store and the union still wouldn’t ratify the agreement. It’s time for the mayor to take back control of the city, and have the TTC declared an essential service. Once that’s done they should be given a fair contract for all parties. If the union doesn’t like it then these overpaid prima donnas can go out and find another job and perhaps another union boss who has a grip on reality.

In the meantime the legislature sat on Sunday and quickly passed back to work legislation. There was some service on Sunday afternoon and full service is to be restored by Monday morning. If the union or any union members defy the legislation fines of $25,000 per day for the union and $2,000 per day for individuals could be imposed. The bill imposes mediation and arbitration and must take into account the ability of the city and the province to pay. It will be interesting to see what comes of this.