What’s worse than the TTC strike, now ongoing, is the 48-hours strike notice promised but not delivered to riders by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113.
The reason for the surprise middle-of-the-night strike, according to the Union, is the fear that “irrational” commuters will react negatively to the strike, and use the 48-hour window to assail drivers. By painting such an unfortunate and antagonistic relationship between TTC staff and commuters, the Union has effectively pitted one-million commuters against them. Do a quick search around the Internet, and you’ll find normally pro-TTC sites doing what the shotgun strike was supposed to avoid: berating TTC staff. Already “irrational” commuters are quoting the hourly wage of a TTC driver and defacing stations.
So what will be the plan on Monday, when TTC workers are forced back to work by provincial legislation?
