STRIKE: New deal close as Brampton back at the bargaining table, worker’s union says

Brampton Transit may be back to regular service for the long haul after days of delays as the union representing striking workers has resumed bargaining with the city.

“CUPE 831 and the City of Brampton are back at the bargaining table, and we are nearing an agreement to end the strike,” reads a strike update posted to social media by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 831.

If a settlement is reached, workers will not be picketing in Brampton on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, the union says.

“Please be aware of a future notice forthcoming. We will provide an update as soon as possible,” the notice posted on Tuesday evening reads.

Picket lines outside transit facilities led to severe delays on bus routes as drivers and operators from a separate union joined the job action in a show of solidarity with their Brampton Transit co-workers.

Transit services were back to normal levels on Tuesday as members of CUPE Local 831 were again picketing in Brampton, but not at Brampton Transit facilities. CUPE 831 represents transit workers like technical staff, public works and court services staff, while the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1573 represents transit operators.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown expressed frustration with the strike in a social media post on the weekend, saying he was “Deeply disappointed CUPE leaders broke their word, leaving 90-95% of transit service off roads today, even though ATU workers want to work. This won’t be sustainable.”

The union fired back in a letter to Brown saying it has “taken every step to address safety concerns and uphold our commitment to fair working conditions.”

Wages have also been an issue for the union, which is asking for pay increases of between 4.5 to 6 per cent over five years according to reports.

Brown says the city offered CUPE a “fair” 3 per cent raise – identical to an offer the union accepted in Mississauga earlier this year.

The unions say it plans to hold a special membership meeting on Friday.