Greyhound workers vote to strike in Ontario and Quebec
Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
OTTAWA -- Canadians with plans to travel by Greyhound Bus through Ontario and Quebec this weekend may have to make other travel arrangements after drivers and mechanics voted to walk off the job Friday.
Ken Sundberg, a spokesman for the union which represents the Greyhound workers said Wednesday 420 mechanics and drivers had voted 85 per cent in favour of a strike after rejecting the company's latest contract.
The move would affect any Greyhound bus travelling to and from the two provinces.
At issue for the workers are changes to their pension plan and the number of working hours in a day.
"When you look at the hours we drive, it does become a safety concern. We can end up working and driving up to 16 hours a day because some drivers may have to wait to drive," said Sundberg.
Sundberg said however, that the main point of contention for the employees was the company changing their pension plan from a benefit plan to a contribution plan, which the drivers believe will seriously hurt their pocketbooks when they retire.
There is no word yet whether the company will meet with the union before Friday.
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