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WATERLOO, April 2 – Workers, represented by Unifor Local 4304, at the Grand River Transit Authority reached a tentative agreement, averting a strike set to begin in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge on Monday morning. “After intense negotiations this weekend, the union is pleased to have reached a mutual agreement with the employer to address Unifor’s main concerns, and will keep our drivers on the road serving the people of Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge,” said Tim Mitchell, Unifor National Representative. A strike deadline for April 3 was announced last Thursday, in an effort to give the public ample notice and an opportunity to make alternative arrangements for travel. Transit services will continue, pending ratification votes to be held Monday. A new strike deadline has been set for 5am Wednesday, April 5. Talks resumed over the weekend, leading to today’s deal. Details of the new contract will be released once a deal has been ratified. Workplace health and safety and other workplace issues were the main topics in the negotiations, which started back in December. Local 4304 represents more than 600 transit operators, service attendants, and skilled trades workers employed at Grand River Transit. Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers, including 46,000 transportation workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged. -30- For more information, please contact Unifor Communications National Representative Stuart Laidlaw at @email or (cell) 647-385-4054.
