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TTC Strikes Again!Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) went on strike. We've been here before. In 1989 it was a work-to-rule campaign that lasted over 40 days and made Go Transit look a lot more attractive. Those parking fees didn't seem so bad when it meant convenience over a long day half of which was spent in transit. Then came the 8-day strike during Bob Rae's term of office in 1991. Premier Rae refused to bring in back-to-work legislation and managed to earn the wrath of the people and later the unions costing him a second term in office. In 1999 it was a two day strike where the union claimed to have made their point. Then came the 2006 wild cat strike lasting one day. The one thing the union didn't do was win the hearts of the people they serve. So this time they tried a PR campaign : worth a million. The idea gauged from former Ontario Cabinet Minister Marilyn Churley's environmental report that "the economic, environmental, health and other benefits" of the TTC to Toronto total at least 12 billion dollars. Bob Kinnear and the TTC union (ATU Local 113) ran with it advertising that each TTC worker contributes over $1 million if one divides Churley's figure by the 11,000 TTC employees. If that wasn't enough the TTC union promised 48 hour notice in the event of a strike. Tell that to those who were stranded at late on Friday night, April 25th, 2008 with the union providing less than 2 hours notice. Kinnear's response, "We have assessed the situation and decided that we will not expose our members to the dangers of assaults from angry and irrational members of the public." Adding, "the reports from our members of increases in threats and abuse from passengers last weekend, after we gave our original 48-hours' notice, has left us no choice but to withdraw our services immediately. Huh? The transit riders, whose support Kinnear needs, are to blame. But once the TTC was legislated back to work what about these "angry and irrational" members of the public. They'll still ride the TTC, if they actually exist. Problem for Kinnear is from those of us who do ride the TTC who have a difficult time with his hyperbole. If it was so terrifying for the drivers and employees it would be terrifying for the rest of the public. We're not afraid to get on a street car or a subway. Where is the violence? Occasionally yes the public can be mean to a driver without any provocation whatsoever and newsflash: Kinnear: vice versa. 48 hours notice, might, have given the TTC union some support. The way it was handled and the scare tactic which followed aren't likely to put the public in their corner. The one in a million campaign failed thanks to Kinnear and the unions decision to walk without notice leaving Toronto commuters stranded. |
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