Hamilton public transit drivers are showing optimism as a strike deadline of Monday looms. Talking to senior bus operators the past two days, there is a belief that a strike will be averted.
I’m told, and the union will not confirm due to a media blackout, that 5 of 12 outstanding issues were settled on Tuesday and the remaining issues are “minor.”
To quote two senior drivers: ‘There’s no way we’ll strike over these [outstanding] issues.’
The negotiating teams for the city and union are meeting again today (Friday) and we should know if a strike will be averted when both parties issue statements tonight.