York Region says it is seeking a court injunction against Amalgamated Transit Union locals 113 and 1587 to address "unlawful picketing" and "unreasonable delays" caused by striking transit workers.

The region claims the picket lines by striking York Region Transit/Viva workers are unlawful and they have created unsafe conditions for transit riders, motorists and pedestrians.

York Region filed an application for the injunction Friday, and will have a lawyer in court Thursday to file a motion in front of a judge.

If granted, the injunction would ease delays, York Region says.

Pickets have ramped up their efforts and caused significant delays in recent weeks, setting up outside YRT facilities, transit stations and a Miller Transit facility.

In a news release, York Region claimed the following tactics are reasons for the injunction:

  • Complete blockades of Regional transit vehicles
  • Unlawful and unsafe blockages of roads
  • YRT passengers and drivers harassed and intimidated
  • YRT passengers forcibly held on buses by picketers at transit terminals
  • Unsafe picketing resulting in several picketers being struck by vehicles
  • Regional employees and the public being obstructed and denied access to regional buildings for up to 90 minutes

Union officials haven't responded to York Region's claims.

York Region is seeking a court injunction just weeks after officials said the region will not intervene in the strike to bring it to an end.

Meanwhile, strikingworkers kicked off the ninth week of their strike with a new picket line Monday morning.

Picketers set up outside Miller Transportation's main yard on Woodbine Avenue in Markham, where they delayed garbage trucks and other vehicles.

Workers also picketed outside a GO Transit station in Newmarket and a York Region Transit garage at Keele Street and Bowes Road in Vaughan.

ATU Local 1587 officials told CP24 they will likely take a break from picketing between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1. Members of ATU Local 113 will hold their final picket Wednesday before taking a break for the holidays, officials said.

More than 550 workers, employed by Miller Transit, First Canada and Veolia Transportation, who are all contracted by York Region, went on strike Oct. 24, shutting down about 60 per cent of the region's bus routes.

The strike is affecting more than 44,000 riders every day.

ATU Local 1587 represents about 340 bus drivers and mechanics in YRT's southeast and north divisions, while 220 Viva employees are represented by ATU Local 113.

With files from CP24's Cam Woolley