88% Rejected Acadian Coach Lines Contract Offer
News Release
November 29, 2011
Media Contact Glen Carr President/Business Agent / Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1229 – 506-756-0279.
Passengers may have a tough time traveling on Friday December 2, 2011. That’s when Transit workers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are set to go on Strike. Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1229 gave their 72-hour notice to Acadian Coach Lines today after voting 88 % to Reject the company’s recent contract proposal.
“We do not want to strike, but Acadian management has left us no other option,” explains Glen Carr, President/Business Agent of ATU Local 1229. “We apologize for the disruption and inconvenience this will create for those who rely on us for their traveling needs and daily tasks.”
ATU Local 1229, which represent Mechanics, Maintenance, Customer Service Representatives and Bus drivers in New Brunswick and PEI, plan for the Strike to begin Friday morning at 6:30 am
After months of asking for a complete contract, ATU finally received an offer last Friday November 25, 2011, from Acadian after pressure from the Mediator to do so. ATU Members were briefed on the Contract and a secret ballot vote was taken November 27th& 28th 2011. The Contract was overwhelming rejected by 88%
“It was an insulting offer that was obviously cobbled together quickly,” Carr Continued. ATU Members sent a loud and clear message to Acadian that we want to be treated with respect and fairness.”
“We appreciate the support of the riders and Customers and urge them to Contact Acadian Coach Lines to demand they bargain fairly with ‘Results not Insults’ and settle this dispute,” Carr asserted. “We are willing to sit down with management to reach a Fair Settlement that is good for workers, management and most of all the Public.
