Aug 22 2008
How do YOU spell incompetent? T-T-C
Check out this morning’s story below re. the TTC union and management agreeing that TTC workers should be allowed to hold the city and surrounding areas hostage (thanks as always, C.M.!). As I commented in The Star’s comment forum, arguing that essential service arbitration leads to higher costs is another example of our politicians’ limited intellect. Namely, the only reason they argue this, as shown below, is that the arbitrator may lack the necessary knowledge to arrive at the best decision and instead tends to “split the difference” between the two sides’ demands.
Simple solution–>Create a position in which the arbitrator has knowledge of public transportation, city planning, social services, and any other relevant factor so that he/she can arrive at a fair/reasonable decision. But such simple, rational thinking is beyond the scope of our municipal and provincial politicians. “Enjoy”…
TTC management and its union can finally agree on something – don’t declare the transit system an essential service. In a report for next week’s commission meeting, senior staff argue that TTC workers should be allowed to strike, saying labour disputes should be settled at the bargaining table. It’s believed to be the first time that TTC management has taken such a public position. The report says the Montreal model, which prohibits workers from striking during morning and evening rush hours and late at night, can prolong labour disputes. It argues removing the right to strike can boost wages as much as 6 per cent, which in the 2005 contract would have been $11.2 million.
If the province were to declare the TTC an essential service – like health care workers or police officers – contracts are often sent to arbitration if there’s an impasse. “What happens is the arbitrator ends up splitting the difference between the union’s request and management’s. More often than not, it ends up costing the system more money,” said TTC spokesperson Brad Ross. As well, non-monetary technical issues are often in dispute. “To leave it to a third party who may not completely appreciate and understand the system, we feel is a risk,” Ross said.
TTC union president Bob Kinnear said the union firmly believes in the right to strike, and “we’re not about to relinquish it.” While Kinnear had not read the report yet, he said: “It’s great, for once, the TTC and our organization can agree on something.”
After a weekend strike in April, some councillors argued TTC workers should be prevented from walking off the job because of the public disruption. Riders were surprised when service suddenly came to a halt after union members soundly rejected a tentative deal. They were ordered back to work the next day under provincial legislation, and the dispute is before an arbitrator. A one-day hearing is scheduled for September.
TTC passenger John Leckie, who was outraged by the strike, argues the TTC is essential to the regional economy. “We can’t afford to be shut down. We’re already gridlocked when everything is running,” said Leckie, a member of a citizens’ group on essential service designation, organized by Councillor Cliff Jenkins. “The threat of a strike is almost as bad as a strike. It looms over the public for months,” Leckie said.
At first, Mayor David Miller rejected any talk of essential service designation, arguing it leads to more expensive deals. He then said given what happened in April, the idea should be studied. City manager Shirley Hoy will deliver recommendations to the executive committee in September.