London Bus Strike

You know, I think it is absurd to continue protecting the striking workers when the LTC is partly subsidized by taxpayer dollars.  When the public pays taxes, there is a trust in which the government will render services to the public with those tax dollars.  This strike is a direct breach of that trust.  This is more so among those who based their decisions on their living arrangements on the assumption of readily available public transit.

Branding carpoolers who charge a fee for their gas and trouble as "rogue taxis" is asinine, given the situation.  People should not be handcuffed to either walking or paying exorbitant taxi fees everyday and should be free to find their own solutions.  I think workers lose their right to protection from being replaced when some part of their salary is linked with public dollars.  Why protect the workers of a publicly subsidized monopoly?  Let private operators step in and let free market forces work its magic and problems like these city-crippling strikes disappear.  Look at Tokyo and London.  Or ban transit strikes like Ottawa did and opt for mandatory arbitration through an independent third-party to settle disputes.

With unemployment holding at 9.3% in Ontario, it is absurd to ask for more than $23/hour + benefits.  This is more than a starting salary for a nurse, who also has to deal with similar verbal and physical abuse on the job but is often more stressful than cruising along Richmond Street.  I can only hope that they accept this "final offer" and get the buses back on the road in time for the upcoming exam period and the holidays.    With so many people out of work in an economy that has only begun to recover, ATU 741 will only look greedy in the public eye should they reject this offer, which they have already recommended to its members to do.

What is worse is that they've already cost people their jobs as small businesses have laid off workers due to lack of business.  Can't serve customers if they can't get to your store, right?  Quality of life for seniors has been impacted with many social and physical activity events around town have seen a drastic drop in attendance.  Food banks, Salvation Army, and other charities have suffered because volunteers, such as students who don't own a car, cannot attend their shifts.  I need not mention the impact this strike has had on students and their learning.

I can only hope that the members of ATU 741 are not as consumed by greed as the union leaders are and see how good they have it compared to the many who are less fortunate or even those who went to university and cannot find a job!  When the economy hopefully makes a full recovery in 3 years time, then it would be more reasonable to renegotiate for something better.  But right now, the public is being held hostage and only sees the greedy asking for more.

This is just my opinion that is also shared by many.  Now if you excuse me, I have to get ready for my long walk tomorrow.