City
Get Out Your Walking Shoes - TTC Strike To Start Monday, April 21, 2008
UPDATE (April 20th, 6:45pm): The strike has been averted!
Original post:
Will they or won't they? It's been the question dogging folks about the looming TTC strike for weeks. The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 was in a legal strike position starting April 1st and it seemed pretty imminent that there would be no transit available. A last minute reprieve meant that on April Fool's day we were still able to make our way across the city via the relative comfort of the TTC to take part in April Fool's pranks (oh, and work and stuff).
Unfortunately, the strike-free situation may be no more. Today we were given more than the promised 48 hour notice of a strike. Beginning 4am Monday April 21, 2008, TTC workers will be on strike if a deal is not struck by 4pm on Sunday April 20.
This will be an excellent opportunity for you to get to know your neighbourhood a bit more intimately. Stop in at that green grocer you've never been to before, poke your head into the shop that claims to sell groceries, but looks an awful lot like a convenience store. Stick close to home, because as Jerrold so articulately pointed out in this morning's Morning Brew, the strike "will be a complete clusterfu*k on our roads and on GO transit"
At least the weather is nice, making walking and biking far more pleasant than even a couple of weeks ago. The problem is, there are an awful lot of people out there who rely on the TTC to get to and from work, and work is too far for a bike ride - cabbies and downtown parking lots are going to be very busy in the next little bit.
Of course, for those that can't afford to catch a cab and don't have a car, this will be far more than just an inconvenience. For those who have no other way to get to work the strike is dangerous. We hope for understanding bosses, flexible workplaces, alternative work arrangements, but the truth is that's a luxury most folks don't have. So, this strike will squeeze people already living on the edge in a way that will be hard to recover from. This isn't lost on union president Bob Kinnear, who told reporters that the minute TTC workers walk off them job they become "public enemy number one."
One thing's for sure, the Union has been careful about image during all this. The acknowledgment of the hardships a strike will be caused, and the WorthaMillion.ca campaign (already covered by Jerrold earlier) have been front and centre.
At today's press conference Kinnear kept repeating that this is about equality. The main sticking points are compensation during injuries, pension and benefit plans. Kinnear pointed out that City of Toronto, and other GTA transit operators (he specifically identified Mississauga and Brampton) are all in a better position than TTC workers on these issues.
He urged the public to contact city politicians and make sure that "fairness is being brought to the table." There is still time for politicians to step in, in fact, the reason for giving more than the promised 48 hours is because Mayor Miller is currently in China. So our fingers are crossed for another last-minute reprieve because this will be a full withdrawal of services.
And if this song of strike is sounding familiar, that's because you remember it from 2006, and 2005.
The TTC has not yet responded to the strike announcement, but I will update this article as more details are known.
TTC has released a statement, that basically says they have nothing to say - "The Toronto Transit Commission will not comment on the threat of job action at this time. Its focus remains on reaching a fair, negotiated settlement."
So, now you know that starting Monday there may not be any TTC (but really, you probably expected that). What's your solution? How are you going to get about in the city during the strike? What kind of effect will the strike have on your life?
Oh, and the award for cheesiest news conference line ever goes to Bob Kinnear for his statement that the mayor should have a sign on his desk that reads "The bus stops here" - me thinks the speech was being written late into the night, and this line was fueled by one too many Jolt Colas (or Redbulls, whatever it is the kids are drinkin' these days...)
Photos by blogTO contributor Jon Currie
Discussion
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Good luck to everyone!!
Does anyone have an idea how long the strike's gonna last?
Meanwhile, at a time critical of a looming transit strike, mayor Miller is schmoozing in a communist country - China.
please someone refresh my memory.. this is not acceptable
I just want to know how long it will take to legislate them back to work..
And when will the government get the courage to make them an essential service?
A city this size that has encouraged people for so many years to get off the roads should not allow itself to be held hostage by a greedy union.
The 1 and half hour long walk to work isn't so bad but the walk home. That I am not looking forward to.
Get rid of the unions!!!!
you may not be compensated as well as some, but you're compensated better than most. buncha greedy assholes. BOOOO TTC EMPLOYEES!
let's try to keep this intelligent folks.
Posted by: matthew at April 17, 2008 12:53 PM "
Its not that easy for most. I, myself would have to bike about 2 and a half hours, uphill, to get to work. If I made it halfway, I'd be lucky. My bike needs post-winter repairs and there are no bikelanes on the way there. Not to mention the massive increase in traffic I'll have to try not getting hit by.
Last time I was home to Toronto I went to the subway station to buy a day pass and I kid you not, the person in the booth was asleep with his feet up on the desk.
Overworked, overstressed and under paid my ass. If their skill at their job is any mark of their intellect, many of them are lucky to be working at all.
It should be a mad house there on Saturday with the impending strike.
FOR ME TO "SOLVE MY PROBLEM AND BUY A BIKE" I WOULD HAVE TO START MY RIDE FROM MY HOUSE AT ROYAL YORK AND LAKESHORE TO VICTORIA PARK AND SHEPPARD AT ABOUT 1 AM TO GET THERE FOR 9 AM
Also since we won't know officially until Sunday at 4 pm this doesn't really seem like the promised 48hrs notice. Instead more of a 90 hour limboitic period.
The internet, man!
I, for one, have been using the TTC for the past 7 years and have no real complaints. Of course, there will always be the odd rude and obnoxious driver but they have been a minority in my experience.
I've updated the article to include the unsurprising public statement by TTC which is basically a glorified 'no comment'.
My dream is that some private enterprise would seize the opportunity to rent some buses and replace the surface TTC routes for that week.
I'm sure they'd manage to make a profit. Why can't they do this? Are there insurance reasons I'm not aware of?
Perhaps there are logistical problems, like finding and hiring competent drivers with the proper licenses.
But there's a GLUT of taxi cabs in the city, why don't they just organize a system of routes that somewhat mirrors the surface TTC routes, and people can just share cabs. Make it a fare system, just like the TTC has, limit the number of passengers to 4, and off you go.
Wouldn't the cab companies make more money this way? Or is it more profitable for them to have their entire fleet slog through gridlock?
Seriously, why are there no contingency plans in place for this? It's not like this hasn't happened before. It's not like we didn't know this could happen. As a city, transit is fundimental, yet we allow ourselves to be held over a barrel by a union OVER and OVER. It's inane.
I could go on, but honestly, does anyone else have any new ideas for dealing with this. Besides just taking the opportunity to whinge pointlessly about how they might have to get off their fat asses and bike for once?
Another idea: Turn Yonge St into a bike only lane between Bloor and Front during 8-10AM, 4-7PM. The same for Queen and Dundas between Bathurst and Broadview. I'm sure the logistics of this needs more work, but that's why their called contingency plans and why they're worked out BEFORE they become necessary.
Frustrated.
My issue with this is that there is already some controversy on some TTC employees' claims that they are actually ill/injured.
Remember the report that suggested that TTC employees experience the same level of post traumatic stress as soldiers?
"On average employees missed about 49 days of work, and the traumatized drivers missed close to 9,000 workdays in all. Others missed time for anxiety and depression. Bob Kinnear, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said operators are put in a difficult position."
49 days of work. FORTY NINE. That is SEVEN WEEKS, or almost two full months!!!
Those 9000 days for 'stressed' workers? If we pay them because they don't feel like coming in? That's about 2 million dollars ($1,904,000 based on the average salary). (I wish I knew how to bold words in my comments, because that deserves it)
Seven weeks.
might have to buy new shoes on the weekend... I am seeing more walking in the future.
It's also obvious the TTC union can negotiate and is bullish in their tatics - they have have striked 5 times in the past 10 years? Do I want to trust these people to drive buses?
I am f**king confused. And all I know at the end of the day is that we lose and somebody else wins.
We need to build other methods of sustainable transit in this city.
jam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Law
So if you work 1 hour into the next shift, you get paid for 16 hours.
But I'm sure they don't abuse that system. I'm sure they're complaints are legitimate. I'm sure the problem is that the provincial government is just being stingy, and that's what is keeping the level of service on the TTC so low.
What a joke.
You're right, 10 Monday to Friday weeks.
Thanks for the info. I did not know that!
Where did you find that quote Ryan L.?
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18775.aspx
I also hope that Billy Nasty's IP info has been forwarded to the police for follow-up, because even if that's anger masquerading as wit, it's unacceptably stupid.
The saddest thing is that by the time I have kids the TTC still won't be functioning properly and it'll still be one horribly run operation.
It makes so much sense to get free rides from the TTC. Just reading the thread above shows everyone will have their lives turned upside down if the strike takes place.
This way, we the riders will respect the transit workers and they in turn won't make enemies.
It's the top management and city Hall that's at fault not to resolve anything. Just look at Miller hightailing out of Toronto knowing all this is happening but chose to visit communist red China instead. It boggles the mind. That alone should keep him from running for mayor ever again.
FREE RIDES TTC!!!
YOUR UNION AND EMPLOYEES WOUL EARN MORE RESPECT FROM THE RIDERS.
DON'T STRIKE - GIVES US (TAXPAYERS) FREE RIDES INSTEAD!
FREE RIDES TTC!!!
Management/the city owns the buses, subways, tracks, etc.
I also question whether the average ttc driver would still go into work despite not being paid.
Must be nice to work for a union...those of us working for 10 bucks an hour just to LIVE aren't so lucky.
why don't the union disclose the salary range they have now and let the public judge whether they should raise it.
Uh, WE (citzens/taxpayers of Toronto) OWN THE TTC.
as for free TTC for people, the problem with that is that our fares don't just got to line the pockets of TTC big-wigs. It goes to paying insurance and maintenance and gas, all things that they can't do without, so, as cool an idea as it would be that a strike would somehow involve workers proving a point by providing free service, it's really not viable. shame though, 'cause it's a really cool idea.
How can any reasonable thinking individual, union or company agree to paying a ?starting? position the same as an experienced position. With that logic Kinnear should be paying each of his union employees the same salary he gets. Such nonsense, yet this to him is a worthy strike issue.
The union, and not just this one, has clearly outlived its once created usefulness as has the archaic military management style of orgs like the TTC.
And let?s not exclude council. How can Miller possibly fix anything when he starts every year with a minimum 3% increase in salaries for every employee? Add to that COL increases, benefits, etc.
Its time to introduce the concept of earning one?s salary and performance increases with accountability from the top down AND bottom up.
No service, no performance, no pay. Just like the rest of the population.
Further, ask kinnear and his union how much more in taxes they are willing to pay for a larger increase.
This ?service?, union, its leadership, etc. that demand from us, the public, the ability to live in an entitled world.
Everyone should be writing their MPP and demanding a change.... immediately.
Yes, but:
- The Mayor is a pansy
- The Premier gets a free ride because Mr. Tory makes McGuinty look like Churchill.
- You're demanding action from a city that has seen fit to not only reelect every incumbent that ran municipally in 06, but give 18 of 22 seats at Queen's Park to Liberals?
I've said it before, I'll say it again. We are getting exactly what we deserve. In a real city, this grease monkey Kinnear wouldn't have anywhere near as much as power as he does right now. But because we've been too busy being politically correct, incompetent pansies such as Messrs. Miller and McGuinty have taken over, avoiding conflict at all costs, giving raises to all the unions, so that kids can't have their pools, but God forbid anyone who works for gov't doesn't get a raise.
The void that is leadership grows every day. I'm losing hope that it will ever be filled.
Someday, we'll live in a real city. :(
The subway in Glasgow, however, is still public but buses and what not are all private firms - each running against one other and competatively priced!
Toronto, and Canada in general is nearing the last straw for being "too politically correct" and lukewarm.. btw. I'm trying to avoid the TTC in general as much as I can from now on.
+++++++++++++
OH CRAP!!!!!
RAIN FOR MONDAY <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
+++++++++++++
You'd hope this wouldn't need explaining, but Toronto's economy is tied to it's population, which is tied to the public transit system.
Is $25-$35 an hour a lot for a bus driver? I don't know. What I do know is that it's 2-3x what a burger flipper makes, and it probably requires at least 5-6x the skill. I'll post the math if you'd like.
But: if you are so impressed with their earnings, why don't you go get a job for the TTC - there are a ton of openings listed at http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/jobopps_current.htm
To summarize: University girl and everyone else: either apply for a job at the TTC or SHUT THE FUCK UP about how good they have it. It's supply and demand, and unless you've applied and been rejected in favour of the Mayor's friends you bitches are all talk.
Please do post the math.
The average burger flipper has approximately 2.3 units of general skill. The average bus driver has approximately 12.72 units.
Now all we do is solve 2.3x=12.72, and voila, x=5.53. Since the combined SD is 0.5, we get precisely 5-6x the skill. QED.
(and I'd also like to see your hourly pay math because I don't know anyone that flips burgers for $12.50 or $11.67 per hour as your math suggests)
I hate the politically correctness movement but, let's focus on mayor Miller who hightailed of the country to spend time in red communist China? What's his carbon footprint? Better than talking about units.
Speaking of footprints, how many of us will be forced to walk on Monday to work or face losing our jobs?
How many elderly and sick will miss appointments with their doctors?
When Miller gets back, it is our right to impeach him for leaving the country to hang out with communists therefore avoiding this pending strike. He will have to cough up the taxpayers for that trip to red China too.
So the summed total of a burger flipper's effort, skill, and training equals 2.3 units, whereas a TTC operator's effort, skill, and training equals 12.72 units.
I hope this clarifies things.
Arbitrarily assigned "units of skill". What a convincing argument and based totally on zero empirical data.
How much harder is it to drive a bus over a car? Or a cube van? They are not even close to being as difficult to drive as a big rig with 10 or more gears? Buses are automatic transmission and the subway trains and streetcars run on tracks.
Driving can be stressful in this city, sure. Some riders are jerks, true. But who doesn't have a job that imparts stress? Who doesn't have to deal with clients or co-workers who are jerks? There are more stressful jobs than driving a bus or sitting in a booth giving change when a machine can do it quicker and with less attitude.
And to those who say the workers should be compensated for being injured on the job - uh, they are, and even if not by contract (which they are) then under the WSIB like everyone else.
Their complaint about not making as much as other GTA transit operators - 5 cents difference. Yes folks, they think you and I are pieces of turd since they will screw your shit up for 5 cents an hour. My heart bleeds.
I have dealt with shitty drivers who smoke on buses in the loop just before they circle around and pick up riders, drivers on cell phones, asshole drivers verbally abusing passengers who didn't deserve it (some for just not speaking English well enough, a system that runs every 25-30 minutes on routes with 5 minute posted wait times, trains and buses going out of service all of a sudden or the dreaded "short turn", and a ton more unpleasant situations.
As a 21 year rider of the TTC they should be giving me and others like me appreciation not the sneering contempt we are met with instead.
That said, I have encountered about 10-12 superior operators who possessed concern and honor and I ALWAYS called the TTC to commend those people. Thank you to those guys and girls. Screw the rest of 'em. I have managed to get to work 9 months out of the year using a bicycle or motorcycle without paying to use a lousy, overcrowded system.
Oh yeah, another thing, streetcars are the stupidest idea for a 21st century city. Especially on streets that are reduced to one lane from on street parking.
Each unit of skill corresponds to the specific level of effort, skill and training that goes into a specific career. That is not arbitrary.
The empirical evidence is quite clear as well, and it's cited in one of the posts above.
Skill and training are different for every vocation so comparing apples to oranges, as you did with "burger flippers" and transit monkeys is ineffective.
What empirical evidence? You have none. Do you understand what empirical evidence means? For an "A Grade Student" you don't seem to grasp debate fundamentals.
Thank you Montrealshorts for saying what I was thinking.