Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union of Canada (ATU) are considering a potential strike in response to the new proposed budget by the Regina city council. The ATU highlights concerns over the budget’s plan to reduce public transit service hours, specifically ending bus operations at 10:30 p.m. CST instead of midnight.
Sukwinder Gainda, president of ATU Canada Local 588, criticized the city for what he perceives as a lack of good faith in negotiations and the intention to cut services on multiple routes. Gainda emphasized the essential role of public transit in the community, particularly for seniors attending medical appointments and grocery shopping, as well as school students reliant on transit for their daily commute.
City council’s proposed budget includes the consideration of further shortening transit services on statutory holidays, potentially affecting holidays like Thanksgiving, Canada Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in addition to existing closures on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Following a vote on the city’s final contract offer, nearly 87% of the union’s membership rejected the offer, with 83% in favor of proceeding with a strike, according to Gainda. The city expressed its commitment to achieving a mutually beneficial agreement that considers the needs of employees while aligning with the interests of residents and taxpayers.
John Di Nino, the national president of ATU, emphasized the challenges faced by transit professionals in Canada due to inadequate government investment in public transit maintenance. Di Nino highlighted the disparity in compensation compared to industry standards and stressed the importance of proper funding to support operational wages and worker needs.
Regina’s current transit system comprises 24 routes, including six special routes for schools, with approximately 1,357 bus stops and 7 million rides provided in 2019. The paratransit system, involving 33 buses, serves around 193,000 passengers annually. Di Nino underscored public transit as a fundamental mobility right for Canadians and urged all levels of government to prioritize funding to ensure efficient transit services nationwide.