Service disruptions expected at Toronto’s Union Station due to strike

Commuters may experience service disruptions at Toronto’s Union Station today after nearly 100 employees at the public transportation hub went on strike.

Ninety-five workers with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. after the union and Toronto Terminals Railway failed to reach an agreement.

The workers are primarily in charge of signals, communication maintenance and train control at the Union Station rail corridor.

A spokeswoman for Metrolinx said early Wednesday morning that a labour disruption contingency plan has been put in effect, and the transit agency is hoping impacts to GO Transit and UP Express service will be limited.

However, Anne Marie Aikins said the chance of travel issues at the hub could increase if there is a long labour disruption.

Metrolinx, which is currently operating more than 300 trains daily in and out of Union Station, is recommending that customers sign up for service alerts and check the GO and UP Express train schedule before leaving home.

Aikins said Metrolinx will communicate with customers often to keep them updated if there are any delays or cancellations.