York Region transit strike update: Miller Transit workers accept invitation to resume bargaining

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The union representing 250 striking workers at Miller Transit in York Region has responded to an invitation by the Provincial Mediator to return to the bargaining table on Friday in an effort to end the strike that began on October 24.

The workers turned down Miller's last offer by nearly 84 per cent in a labour board-supervised vote on January 6.

"The record is clear that we have always been willing to negotiate, despite York Region Chairman Bill Fisch's claims to the contrary," said Ray Doyle, president of ATU Local 1587.

"Our members sent a very clear message to this private contractor that their last offer fell very wide of the mark to get a settlement.

"We will listen to what they have to say tomorrow. Our members want to get back to work but it has to be on terms that recognize and respect the value of the work they do."

Doyle reiterated the union's proposal, first advanced in early November, to end the strike immediately through binding arbitration.

"York Region residents have to know that every day of this strike past November 2 has been due to Bill Fisch's inexplicable opposition to a fair process of neutral arbitration."

Ray Doyle, 416-986-4103