So the TTC strike is over. Alot of politicians say “enough is enough” and want to declare the TTC to be an essential service.
That would mean the surprise weekend strike would be the TTC’s last.
I can’t help wondering if the Premier’s musings last week about taking away their right to strike was the final straw for some union members. Maybe they decided this was their last chance to strike and they were going to take it…so it became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I am in favour of declaring the TTC to be an essential service but I do wonder where this stops?
Is bus service less essential to people in Oakville or York region?
What about Go service? A strike at Go strands hundreds of thousands of commuters. Should they be declared an essential service? Could you? Alot of the people who provide Go service work for CN Rail, a national company so I don’t know if stripping them of their right to strike would even be legal.
These are the kinds of questions politicians should be asking- and answering- now that the crisis has been averted and the busses and streetcars and subways are running again.
I’d also like to know how much this stunt cost city businesses.
The one day wildcat strike a couple of years ago cost an estimated ten million dollars.
Just think about all the restaraunts and stores that didn’t see staff show up and all the would-be customers who stayed home rather than deal with chaotic traffic.
We were supposed to come into town for shopping and dinner Saturday but cancelled our plans because of the transit strike.
How many other people decided to stay home as well?
Just asking.
Mary Ellen Beninger
