Striking York Region Transit workers prevented buses from entering Richmond Hill Centre for more than three hours Monday as they kicked off the strike's seventh week with another demonstration.
Commuters who catch buses that stop at the bus terminal encountered delays because of the picket line, which forced buses to stop on Yonge Street instead.
As 200 employees walked the picket line, a heated moment erupted when Ray Doyle, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587, got into an argument with a bus driver.
Employees walked the picket line just days after York Region chairman and CEO Bill Fisch said council members wouldn't intervene in the strike.
Last week, council decided not to ask the province to introduce legislation that would force the employees back to work.
Bus drivers and mechanics in two York Region Transit divisions have been on strike since Oct. 24.
The strike has halted service on about 60 per cent of YRT's routes, angering riders who rely on public transit to get around.
Council members have been calling on the unions and employers involved in the labour dispute to resume negotiations to bring an end to the strike.
The workers are employed by Miller Transit and First Canada, and are represented by two Amalgamated Transit Union locals.
YRT contracts Miller Transit to provide service to 51 bus routes in the southeast division, which covers Markham, Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville and part of Vaughan.
First Canada has a contract to provide bus service for 29 routes in Newmarket, Aurora and parts of Richmond Hill, East Gwillimbury and Georgina.
About 340 employees in the southeast and north divisions are represented by ATU Local 1587, while about 220 Viva employees are represented by ATU Local 113.
With files from CP24's Cam Woolley
