The City of Belleville is warning of a possible disruption of transit service in the coming weeks should an agreement not be reached with bus operators.
Members of Unifor Local 1839 will be in a legal strike or lockout position on April 1 after the Ministry of Labour issued a “no board” notice earlier this month.
The city is hopeful a negotiated settlement can be reached and has requested the services of a Ministry of Labour Mediator Specialist to avoid a work stoppage.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk says they value and appreciate the City of Belleville’s Bus Operators and that the city’s bargaining team will continue to work towards a tentative agreement that is fair to employees and City of Belleville taxpayers.
However, he recommends transit users plan ahead and make alternative arrangements in case a deal is not reached.
The current collective agreement for about 30 Unifor Local 1839 members expired March 31, 2021.
It was a one-year rollover agreement signed during the pandemic to prevent layoffs and secure 40-hour work weeks.
If an agreement is not reached before the deadline, the union says a legal strike will begin at 4 a.m. on April 1.
