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Ottawa Citizen

Transit union claims petition 'ignored' at Ottawa city council

Members of the union representing OC Transpo operators say they were 'met with silence' at Wednesday's city council meeting after showing up in numbers with a petition demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Article content Article content 'Despite arriving early and submitting a formal petition — listed on the official agenda — Ottawa City Council essentially ignored it, an action that bypasses the voices of front-line transit workers and undermines democratic participation,' according to a statement from ATU Local 279 president Noah Vineberg. Article content Article content The union, which signed a five-year contract in June 2020, submitted a petition containing 1,836 signatures at the May 28 council session outlining their requests for ongoing contract negotiations. Article content Article content OC Transpo's 'New Ways to Bus' schedule, which has been met with criticism from some riders since it rolled out with redesigned routes in April, 'reinforces the chaos' of the transit system, Vineberg said. Article content 'For years we've heard promises of New Ways to Bus — promises of innovation, better service, and a transit future we could believe in,' Vineberg said. 'But we lived through unrealistic schedules and a system spiralling deeper into dysfunction for both riders and workers.' Article content Riders are 'frustrated' and operators are 'exhausted,' Vineberg said. Article content The ATU is calling for 'a serious, honest review of Ottawa's transit system — one that truly listens to both riders and workers.' Article content Article content OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar responded Thursday by saying the transit authority 'is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace that values and encourages employee feedback. Article content Article content 'We continue to meet regularly with our union partners to discuss employee feedback as part of the ongoing collective bargaining agreement process. We remain focused on supporting one another in finding a shared path forward as we continue to keep Ottawa moving.' Article content City Clerk Caitlin Salter-MacDonald said the ATU's petition was not ignored and followed the usual procedures for petitions presented to council. Article content 'The petition in question was presented to council in compliance with the Policy and the Procedure By-law and placed on the May 28 council agenda under agenda item 7 — communications.'