No movement in the ONTC strike

file photo

The strike between the ONTC and Motor Coach Operators entered week 6 on Saturday, and with no talks scheduled the pickets continue at Ontario Northland buildings across Northeastern Ontario.

Strike Captain Brad Harvey tells BayToday that the Motor Coach Operators are still very optimistic that they will be called back to the table.

“But when is anybody's guess,” he states.

“Never actually figured that ONTC would keep us out or refuse to negotiate with us for this long ... so right now we are still firmly holding our position,” he adds.

Harvey says the Teamsters union members have been visiting all the picket lines and have initiated petitions as well as information leaflets informing people in their service area (from Barrie to Sudbury, Barrie to North Bay and north to Matheson-Timmins), that Motor Coach Operators haven't forgot them, and that they are looking for their support. The drivers and agents are encouraging customers to become vocal with ONTC management and speak out against losing their services.

The union says the main issues for the operators are wages, benefits and working conditions.