Here we go again. The Toronto transit workers, including drivers – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 – is threatening to strike. They have already voted almost unanimously to reject the first contract offer. I’m sick of listening to sanctimonious quotes from the Union Chief about how much they don’t want to take away services from the public. Well, if you feel so strongly about not wanting to take away services, then don’t go on strike.

These unions must be living in LA LA Land. In the private sector, if a company has no money, then there is no money for raises. And, benefits that cost companies a fortune get rolled back. You can’t take blood from a stone and you don’t go on strike. If you are not happy with your wages and your benefits, then do what everyone else does and go out and find a new job with a better pay package. No one is holding you hostage and forcing you to work for the TTC.

The rejected TTC offer included a 2 % pay increase in each year of a 4-year agreement and significant concessions to some benefits. The union wants more. That’s all fine and well but the reality is that the City of Toronto is broke. It’s about time that the unions got a healthy dose of reality. As an essential service they shouldn’t have the right to strike. Why should the public be held hostage by Toronto transit employees?

The current agreement expires at the end of March and technically the TTC workers could go on strike as soon as April 1st – and that’s no joke. I don’t think that transit employees should be allowed to strike. Do you agree or disagree?