HSR workers and union advocates are calling on mayor Andrea Horwath to reverse council’s vote to allow a third party to run the future LRT system. The decision was solidified Wednesday through a ratification vote.

It appears that the next step is, which third party operator will run Hamilton’s light rail system for the first 10 years. But, those who work and represent employees are warning the city that much more will be lost if they don’t allow the public sector to take over right away.

Hamilton’s transit union leader, Eric Tuck continues to present a case that HSR workers should be the ones to launch Hamilton’s LRT system

“It’s a natural transition, if you stay inside any cockpit of a bus versus a LRT you wouldn’t see a whole lot of a difference,” said Tuck.

He says many workers from the private sector likely operated a bus in the past and training wouldn’t be a problem.

“If its a LRT system it’s propelled by electricity, which means you have a power switch on and off. You have a breaking system, no steering system because it is on rails,” said Tuck.

The union says, theoretically, it would likely take only four to six weeks to transition an HSR operator to a light rail system.

READ MORE: Hamilton set to vote on vacant housing tax bylaw

However, the city of Hamilton will have to wait 10 years from its launch date before fully taking control of the rail cars.

Last week, councillors voted in favour to allow a third party to operate and maintain the rail system for a decade, and then transition public workers five years in.

After facing push back, council ratified the plan in a 9-to-7 vote Wednesday.

But, union reps and advocates are calling on Horwath to take action.

“A publicly owned and operated LRT system is something I have always believed in and fought for. As mayor, I firmly believe that this two-step approach will enshrine the HSR as the operator of the Hamilton LRT for the next 150 years and beyond,” Horwath told CHCH News in a statement.

The national president for the Amalgamated Transit Union, John Di Nino questions the private sector’s ability to provide a reliable and affordable service.

The decision will be presented to Metrolinx next, which will have final say on operations.

Metrolinx tells CHCH News “Metrolinx values the City of Hamilton’s ongoing input into the project and will work with the city to ensure operations are delivered in a way that best serves customers and residents.”