We the members of ATU 508 executive wish for it to be known that the two sides negotiating the contract between transit workers and HRM has come to an impasse.

After only one day of meeting , with no bargaining taking place the HRM team requested a conciliator to oversee the negotiation process. This is a very rare bargaining tactic seldom used, and never done before in the history of Metro Transit

The contract expired on Sept 1 /11. After a brief and unsuccessful attempt at renegotiating with the employer, we the union were presented with a final offer on January 12 / 12. We did present a counter offer  hoping that the HRM team would move forward in bargaining. On January 18 /12, the conciliator filed a notice of the bargaining coming to an impasse with the Labour Board. This officially puts us in a legal strike position on February 2 /12.  A denial of the HRM offer and strike mandate does not mean we will absolutely walk the picket line, but we must be prepared.

We will be bringing the employers final offer to the membership on January 22 / 12 for a vote on whether to accept or deny the proposals. This vote will also give a the strike mandate we need to present to the employer.

In solidarity

ATU 508   Executive.

Thank You.