Once again, contract talks between York Region Transit and the unions have broken down , eight weeks into a crippling commuter strike.
Negotiations had resumed Monday between Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 and Miller Transit but talks broke down later in the afternoon.
ATU President Ray Doyle told CP24 that Miller Transit has not budged from its initial offer and accused the company of only agreeing to meet with the union because of pressure from the region.
Efforts to resolve the strike between two separate unions and companies have been going on all weekend unsuccessfully.
ATU Local 113 and Veolia Transportation returned to the bargaining table with a provincial mediator Saturday, but talks broke off without a tentative deal.
Veolia sent out a news release to the media, saying negotiations ended with no resolution.
They are now offering the union a four-year-contract, whereas before they were only offering a two-year deal. They are also offering a wage increase of three per cent for the first year followed by a two per cent raise for the next three years. The new offer also includes more health care coverage.
Veolia says the union now wants the company to cover 100 per cent of healthcare benefits and a three year contract.
"We believe it is obvious (sic) that our offer is very fair, particularly in this economy," Veolia said in the news release. "Further, it does not place a hardship on anyone, including the taxpayers of York region."
For now, the union and Veolia have not made plans to speak further on the issue.
ATU Local 1587 represents about 340 bus drivers and mechanics in YRT's southeast and north divisions.
They've been on strike since Oct. 24, along with about 220 Viva employees represented by ATU Local 113 and employed by Veolia Transportation.
The strike has shut down about 60 per cent of the region's bus routes.
