Counting down to a strike

A bus in Halifax. Photo by Calum Agnew.

A Halifax Metro Transit strike is now “imminent,” according to union president Ken Wilson.

“The countdown is on,” said Wilson in a phone interview today from the offices of ATU Local 508, which represents Halifax’s transit workers. Buses and ferries will continue as usual for the rest of today and tomorrow.

HRM’s bargaining team put forth an offer Monday making changes to the contract’s issues of wages, the hiring of part-time operators and contracting out services.

The ATU did not accept and no further concessions have been made on either side.

Mayor Peter Kelly said in a press release today he hopes to continue negotiating and that he believes a compromise can be reached. “There is no need for a strike,” he said. “My understanding is that talks have not broken down and we have not been advised otherwise.”

Wilson says the mayor is “misinformed.”

“The employer made an offer that we cannot accept and unless we come to an agreement before tomorrow, at midnight on Jan. 2 we will be on strike.”