HSR talks “stalled”

The president of the union representing Hamilton bus drivers and other workers says talks have “stalled.”

Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union will be in a legal strike position as of tomorrow, and talks came to a halt last night when the city refused to consider a contract term other than four years.

The union is proposing a one year contract because drivers don’t want  negotiations revolving around municipal election schedules, but President Eric Tuck has said he’s willing to discuss any length of time other than four years.

A city spokesperson says negotiators are still ready to talk.

Last year Hamilton bus drivers made between $20 and $30 per hour, placing them in the middle of the list of larger Ontario cities.   The union hasn’t revealed what wage increase it’s looking for, except to note that other cities have recently agreed to increases around two percent.

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger remains hopeful a settlement will happen without a strike.