Notice of potential Burlington strikes for July 2

[Ciel]

I'm looking at city websites and found this possible labour strike notice on Burlington's main page so here's the scoop:
http://www.burlington.ca/en/your-cit...y-Services.asp

The City of Burlington is negotiating collective agreements with two unions: CUPE Local 44, outside workers and arena/outdoor pool operators, and Local 2723, Burlington Transit workers. Both unions have stated that if there is no agreement by the end of June, they will begin strike action as of midnight (12:01 a.m.) on July 2, 2015.

Services that would be cancelled

• Conventional Burlington Transit service
  
  • Three GO Transit stops are available: Aldershot, Burlington, Appleby
  • Where HSR (Hamilton transit) goes in Burlington
  
  
• Handi-Van Transit Service
• Non-emergency tree service requests
• Street sweeping
• Programs and services offered at:
  
  • Appleby Ice Centre
  • LaSalle Wading Pool and Splash Park
  • Mainway Arena
  • Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
  • Nelson Arena
  • Nelson Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
  
  

Services that would be reduced

• Grass-cutting and horticulture along roadside locations and in parks
  
  • Park grass would be kept safe for sporting activities
  • Boulevards and passive park spaces may appear less groomed
  
  
• Litter and recycling in parks
  
  • Picnickers would be asked to carry out their garbage and recyclable items
  
  

Services that would continue

• Normal garbage collection, recycling (Halton Region)
• Burlington Public Library services
• Sports field rentals
• Turf maintenance
• Festivals and events
• Tyandaga Golf Course
• Forestry emergency storm response
• Arena floor rentals
  
  • Aldershot
  • Central
  • Mountainside
  • Skyway
  
  
• Spray pads in parks (non-fenced)
  
  • Dofasco WaterJet Plaza at Spencer Smith Park
  • Norton Community Park
  • Pinemeadow Park
  • Millcroft Park
  • Orchard Community Park
  • Hidden Valley Park
  
  
• Recreation centres
  
  • Brant Hills
  • Burlington Seniors' Centre
  • Haber
  • Music Centre
  • Rotary Youth Centre
  • Sherwood Forest Gym
  • Burlington Student Theatre
  • Tansley Woods
  
  

• Indoor pools
  
  • Aldershot
  • Angela Coughlan
  • Centennial
  • Tansley Woods
  
  
• Banquet facilities
  
  • LaSalle Pavilion
  • Paletta Mansion
  • Discovery Landing/Waterfront Centre
  
  

• Preschool, child and youth programs
• City of Burlington camps: SNAP, O2, Camp Can-Do, youth centres, LIT, youth specialty
• Adult and seniors' programs
• All services at City Hall (includes Planning and Building, Capital Works, Finance, Transportation, Engineering)
• Playground inspections
  
  • Will continue for safety
  
  
• Cemetery service
• Road and sidewalk maintenance
• Traffic signal and street light maintenance

This would not be good news in the summer, especially as PAN Am ticketholders are expecting to use public transit to get to venues...

(And Hamilton has a couple of more union contracts to discuss soon or else strikes!)

[Ciel]

Tentative agreements with three City groups. So at least until July 5, you can breathe easily about having public transit and rec services. http://www.burlington.ca/en/your-cit...y-Services.asp

[Ciel]

Today's Spec mentions that the Burlington Transit employees rejected the offer. Buses are running as usual.

[Ciel]

Tentative second offer for Burlington Transit workers. Ratification vote is on Sunday. If the vote is not in favour of the offer, then a strike will happen at 12:01 am Monday. http://www.burlington.ca/en/your-cit...y-Services.asp

[Ciel]

In related transit news, the Burlington GO station completion date is now set for 2016.
http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-sto...-another-year/

I personally have not enjoyed the transfer between buses in the north parking lot during the construction period. The south parking lot also faced the businesses, so access to the road is easier.

[Ciel]

Tonight, watch the local news to find out how the ratification vote turns out.

[Ciel]

Yippee-no transit strike! BT workers ratified the second offer!

Burlington Transit workers ratify agreement, bus service continues as usual

July 12, 2015
We are pleased to announce tonight that Burlington Transit workers, represented by CUPE Local 2723, have voted to accept a four-year collective agreement negotiated between the union and the city.
The agreement will run from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018. Burlington City Council will ratify the agreement at a council meeting on July 15.
Thanks to the co-operation of CUPE and our employees, it is business as usual for Burlington Transit services.
July 12, 2015 media update...