City Will Explore 'All Options': Mayor
Josh Pringle
Friday, January 9, 2009
Mayor Larry O'Brien is promising Ottawa residents the city will explore "all options at our disposal" to reduce the hardship of the OC Transpo strike on the city.
Striking OC Transpo drivers, dispatchers and mechanics with the Amalgamated Transit Union voted 75 per cent to reject the city's latest contract offer.
The city has already implemented some mitigation measures to help alleviate traffic gridlock during the 31 day strike.
City Staff are finalizing additional measures and will present them to City Council for consideration on Wednesday.
O'Brien says Council will consider the possibility of opening the Transitway to vehicular traffic, additional traffic, parking and community service measures and enhancing taxi service.
Some City Councillors have said the city has looked at the possibility of using replacement workers to re-start OC Transpo service.
In a memo to City Councillors, City Manager Kent Kirkpatrick said the use of replacement workers is a legal action, as long as it's taken with the goal of maintaining operations and not breaking the union.
Josh Pringle
Friday, January 9, 2009
Mayor Larry O'Brien is promising Ottawa residents the city will explore "all options at our disposal" to reduce the hardship of the OC Transpo strike on the city.
Striking OC Transpo drivers, dispatchers and mechanics with the Amalgamated Transit Union voted 75 per cent to reject the city's latest contract offer.
The city has already implemented some mitigation measures to help alleviate traffic gridlock during the 31 day strike.
City Staff are finalizing additional measures and will present them to City Council for consideration on Wednesday.
O'Brien says Council will consider the possibility of opening the Transitway to vehicular traffic, additional traffic, parking and community service measures and enhancing taxi service.
Some City Councillors have said the city has looked at the possibility of using replacement workers to re-start OC Transpo service.
In a memo to City Councillors, City Manager Kent Kirkpatrick said the use of replacement workers is a legal action, as long as it's taken with the goal of maintaining operations and not breaking the union.