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ottawasun.com - Ottawa and Region - Drivers face layoffs
Transit boss says up to 500 could be affected, union chief slams 'scare tactics'
By AEDAN HELMER, SUN MEDIA
OC Transpo general manager Alain Mercier said yesterday he may have to lay off as many as 500 drivers once the strike ends, until the buses can start rolling again at full capacity.
Mercier also repeated a council request to the striking Amalgamated Transit Union membership to allow mechanics to return early to expedite the process of preparing the fleet for drivers and riders alike.
Union president Andre Cornellier dismissed both notions as "scare tactics" and "union busting at the core."
"He's not going to divide and conquer. That will not happen," said Cornellier.
After a similar strike was settled in 1996 after a 24-day walkout, Cornellier said there was no problem preparing the fleet for the resumption of service.
"After 24 days on strike in '96, the mechanics went in the first day, and then we (drivers) went in the second day," he said.
Cornellier said after that strike, sweeping changes were made to OC Transpo management. He suggested a similar course of action once the 2,300 striking union members finally do go back to work.
"They made a lot of changes (after 1996)," said Cornellier. "The same thing is going to have to happen because there's no way that we can work with (Mercier). There's just no way. Just thinking about him just makes me sick."
Cornellier also called talk of layoffs a "threat" aimed at dividing junior members of the union.
"If he has to lay off people, let him lay off people, he's not going to scare the membership. He's not going to intimidate this membership," he said.
FULL CAPACITY
Cornellier was also upset that despite a repeated promise by both sides that there would be no negotiating through the media, the City appeared to be doing just that.
At yesterday's media briefing, city manager Kent Kirkpatrick repeatedly deflected questions about the negotiation process, but Mercier was quick to lay out his plan to return the bus service to full operating capacity.
"I think that at this point we're clearly seeing there is a need to ensure the bus fleet is in appropriate condition, properly certified, safe and reliable, and able to resume service," said Mercier of council's request for mechanics to return early.
Mercier said the prolonged strike would also force the city to lay off as many as 500 junior drivers until full service could resume.
He estimated service would operate at 50% capacity for the first few weeks, only returning to normal eight to 12 weeks after a settlement.
"I think that we recognize the hard reality that many employees will be without pay, and this strike, for the junior members will affect them in a very negative manner," said Mercier.
Transit boss says up to 500 could be affected, union chief slams 'scare tactics'
By AEDAN HELMER, SUN MEDIA
OC Transpo general manager Alain Mercier said yesterday he may have to lay off as many as 500 drivers once the strike ends, until the buses can start rolling again at full capacity.
Mercier also repeated a council request to the striking Amalgamated Transit Union membership to allow mechanics to return early to expedite the process of preparing the fleet for drivers and riders alike.
Union president Andre Cornellier dismissed both notions as "scare tactics" and "union busting at the core."
"He's not going to divide and conquer. That will not happen," said Cornellier.
After a similar strike was settled in 1996 after a 24-day walkout, Cornellier said there was no problem preparing the fleet for the resumption of service.
"After 24 days on strike in '96, the mechanics went in the first day, and then we (drivers) went in the second day," he said.
Cornellier said after that strike, sweeping changes were made to OC Transpo management. He suggested a similar course of action once the 2,300 striking union members finally do go back to work.
"They made a lot of changes (after 1996)," said Cornellier. "The same thing is going to have to happen because there's no way that we can work with (Mercier). There's just no way. Just thinking about him just makes me sick."
Cornellier also called talk of layoffs a "threat" aimed at dividing junior members of the union.
"If he has to lay off people, let him lay off people, he's not going to scare the membership. He's not going to intimidate this membership," he said.
FULL CAPACITY
Cornellier was also upset that despite a repeated promise by both sides that there would be no negotiating through the media, the City appeared to be doing just that.
At yesterday's media briefing, city manager Kent Kirkpatrick repeatedly deflected questions about the negotiation process, but Mercier was quick to lay out his plan to return the bus service to full operating capacity.
"I think that at this point we're clearly seeing there is a need to ensure the bus fleet is in appropriate condition, properly certified, safe and reliable, and able to resume service," said Mercier of council's request for mechanics to return early.
Mercier said the prolonged strike would also force the city to lay off as many as 500 junior drivers until full service could resume.
He estimated service would operate at 50% capacity for the first few weeks, only returning to normal eight to 12 weeks after a settlement.
"I think that we recognize the hard reality that many employees will be without pay, and this strike, for the junior members will affect them in a very negative manner," said Mercier.
