Region of Waterloo says GRT buses will run Friday — Grt Strike
Grand River Transit buses will run Friday as the grt strike talks between the Region of Waterloo and Unifor Local 4304 continue. The region said it has not received a strike notice, even though the workers will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
The union represents approximately 850 GRT workers, including bus operators. A strike would affect both GRT buses and MobilityPLUS services, so Friday’s service decision gives riders a clear answer for the first day the labor action could begin.
Waterloo region talks
The Region of Waterloo said the two sides have been at the bargaining table all week and were still negotiating as of Thursday afternoon. Unifor Local 4304 said it is working to achieve a fair collective agreement that addresses wages, scheduling, and benefits
.
That leaves the immediate question on the table for riders and workers alike: whether the talks produce a deal before the strike position takes effect. For now, the region has said Grand River Transit service will continue uninterrupted on Friday.
Unifor Local 4304 workers
Unifor Local 4304 is the bargaining agent for the approximately 850 GRT workers in the dispute. The union’s statement points to wages, scheduling and benefits as the issues it wants addressed in a settlement.
The Region of Waterloo said it is committed to reaching a deal that’s competitive for GRT staff and affordable for residents
. That puts both sides on record on the same day service is set to continue, while the labor position changes at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
GRT buses Friday
For riders, the practical point is simple: GRT buses are scheduled to run Friday. The possible disruption remains tied to whether the negotiations produce an agreement before the workers reach strike position, and any strike action would extend beyond buses to MobilityPLUS service.
Passengers using either service will need to follow the outcome of the talks closely, because the current status leaves Friday open and the bargaining unresolved.
