Winnipeg Transit workers pump brakes on strike, ratify 4-year deal | CBC News

A transit strike in Winnipeg has been averted as unionized workers agreed to ratify a new four-year deal Friday evening. 

Amalgamated Transit Union 1505 said in a news release Friday the new deal includes 12.6 per cent general wage increases and a signing bonus of $1,800 for all unionized members. ATU 1505 represents 1,400 transit workers, including drivers. 

“It’s a big relief, it’s been a very trying time,” said union president Chris Scott. “I care a lot about my membership, that’s almost 1,400 members and their families, that I was almost going to put out on the line without a paycheque, without a way to put food on the table.” 

Scott said 58.3 per cent of the membership voted to accept the offer. He said a lot of the vote against the agreement stems from what workers experience in the workplace. 

“Obviously the compromised safety of the job, the threat of assault has [exacerbated] that,” he said. “But it stems from the long-standing practice of just being a number, they want to be seen as people.” 

The new agreement also includes four weeks of cultural or religious leave and $100,000 for mental health resources annually. Workers will also have their weekend premium increased to $3.50 per hour, according to the release. 

Scott said the four weeks leave will be unpaid, but is “something the members requested.” 

“The city has made the commitment to address the culturally diverse workforce and now transit has made that same commitment.” 

This is the third tentative agreement the union put before its members for a vote. After the last one was rejected, at the tail end of November, a strike deadline was set for Dec. 11. That’s now been avoided. 

The City of Winnipeg said in a statement Friday it’s pleased to have successfully negotiated a new contract for ATU members and avoided a strike. The statement also thanked residents of Winnipeg for their patience.