Transit Windsor strike temporarily delayed, says union

Transit Windsor workers will not be walking off the job on Monday.

In a news release on Sunday, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced that ATU Local 616, which represents nearly 300 Transit Windsor workers, will temporarily delay a strike that was set to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday.

A 72-hour strike notice was issued by the union on Thursday, for the first time since 2020. Manny Sforza, an international vice-president of ATU, previously told CBC News that they have been in a legal strike position since Dec. 3, 2023.

"We are committed to remaining at the bargaining table for a few more days to negotiate a fair deal – but Transit Windsor management has been unfair and will have to significantly improve their offer," said Dragan Markovic, ATU Local 616 President, in the release.

Disruption to transit service was expected during the planned strike, with transit riders saying they would have had to resort to ridesharing or taking taxis, both of which are more expensive.

Sforza previously said the main issues the union has concern wages, health and safety, and scheduling.

The ATU release says the city and the union remain apart on "some issues, especially federally legislated sick days that the employer is seeking concessions for."

CBC News has requested an interview with Transit Windsor executive director Tyson Cragg.

A Transit Windsor bus heading into the service's garage. The union representing Transit Windsor workers says the City of Windsor and the union are remain apart on some issues. (TJ Dhir/CBC)

The City of Windsor says all buses will be running as normal on Monday, and that talks between the city and the union are ongoing.

The city also says that the union has withdrawn their strike notice.

ATU will be holding a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on the bargaining talks.