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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

It's like a game of Russian Roulette

GO bus drivers and other transit staff have been given the green light to strike.

Apparently we learn Wednesday the date of the new strike deadline. Will it be Friday? Will it be next Tuesday? How about November 4th? Whatever it is, my money's on black.

I'm one of the lucky ones who can work from home should the system come to a grinding halt, but I don't think we'll see a strike and if we do, I suspect it will be short.

I could be wrong. But the timing is interesting, seeing as Election Day is Thursday.

I wonder if "Dad" Dalton is gonna pull out his soapbox tomorrow afternoon?

Full coverage at the Toronto Star's website

22 comments:

Bicky said...

Both sides should just get the lead out of their arses and settle the dang thing already. Frickin ridiculous!

Squiggles said...

I can work from home too! Of course, with office moves and the money I dished out for the pass, I would be mighty torqued should the strike happen and they actually prevent the trains from running (sympathizers or some rot).

lswgirl13 said...

If the polls are correct, looks like Daddy Dalton is gonna get re-elected so he can jump right in and fix this!!!
Seriously, are the a good chunk of the people of Ontario idiots that they want to continue with Dalton???

Squiggles said...

@ lswgirl: you answered your own question.

One more day to find out the results. I know that I already voted (whoo hoo advance voting!)so I am prepared to bitch if needed.

TomW said...

Everybody, repeat after me... the trains will still run if a strike happens.

There, feel better now?

TomW said...

CJ, the link you gave opens in a new window... which is really annoying. If I wanted to open it in a new window, I would do so. I didn't want that, but it did anyway. Can you fix it?

(You're a web designer, so you know the HTML standard says links shouldn't open in a new window without a damn good reason).

Squiggles said...

We know that technically the trains will run. However, there is the chance of the one union sympathizing with the other union and impede their progress.

There is also the issue of being hassled at the stations (incl. Union) that some people may not want to deal with.

Personally, I don't think I could hold onto my temper in that final situation. I am already tired of running the gambit on the way to and from Union, and lately, to my station in the morning. Tired of people asking for money, tired of people thrusting politcal fliers in my direction, even after I have told them "NO". If a union person tried to stop me and tell me their side of the story, I doubt they would leave without tears trailing down their faces.

There. Rant done.

the undersigned said...

Tom, You're delusional. Nothing will move if there is a strike. All stations will be immobilized. You think patrons will cross picket lines? Ha! Watch and see.

lswgirl13 said...

I'm with Squiggles, I really do believe the trains will run and I don't care if I "accidently forget" to swipe my PRESTO card. It's the picket line thing that pisses me off. I am not going to let these idiots hold me in a line for however long they feel like trying to push their union rhetoric crap on me.

Anonymous said...

The whole system will idle. Sorry.
Can't run trains without CSAs.

lswgirl13 said...

Unless everything I read is incorrect, the CSA's aren't going on strike, are they??? 99.9% sure I will get a raise in January but it won't be the least bit exciting but unlike the union mentality, I will be thankful that I have a job to go to.

Squiggles said...

The CSA's on the train are not part of the potentially striking union. Therefore, the trains can run.

The ones you, Anon of 11.50, are referring too are not the real CSAs that we train people think of. They are the window attendents (really, how hard is it to stop talking to your neighbour and let me buy a ticket? on a Sunday?), the cleaners, etc.

Anonymous said...

the csas and the conductors won't cross the picket lines. trust me.

lswgirl13 said...

I'd like to say you're wrong but sadly, I don't think you are. And to that I would say to fire their sorry butts!

Skin Man said...

Where is Ronald Regan when you need him.....super hero to the common man.

Be happy you have awesome jobs and stop complaining. Its the comparison to other over paid employees that drives me crazy. Soon there will be union members begging to get thier naps in just like the TTC employees!

Now I know that's a bit unfair, but I am serious about negotiations based on other over paid work groups being completely bogus.....how do you stop that vicious circle?!

lswgirl13 said...

What happened when salaries were kept private?
Since the day I started my working life, I was told that salaries, raises, bonuses, etc. were confidential.

money guy said...

Crown corporation = taxpayer money = public knowledge.

Anonymous said...

Conductors won't cross picket lines. Union will set picket lines at lay overs (where conductors start their day). No way the trains are moving.

Anonymous said...

Psst, hey Dalton, wanna buy some votes?

"Essential Service", "GO Transit".

Squiggles said...

Anon 7.19: are you a conductor? or are you a union slob that is hoping for the strike so you do not have to do any more real work?

You seem to be placing a lot of words in other people's mouths.

Skin Man said...

what happens to another metrolinx employee who fails to show up at work? Do they lose pay and get warning/suspended/fired for enough unexcused abscences?

Skin Man said...

Just to clarify ^

If say a conductor refuses to come to work because (s)he chooses not to cross a picket line....what happens.