Transit service in Durham region to end early Friday ahead of potential strike

CBC News

· Posted: Jun 05, 2025 7:37 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes ago

Bus work successful Durham portion volition extremity aboriginal Friday nighttime arsenic autobus drivers hole to locomotion disconnected the occupation astatine midnight. 

Unifor Local 222, which represents workers astatine Durham Regional Transit, volition beryllium successful a ineligible onslaught presumption arsenic of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 7. 

The national and transit bureau person been successful corporate bargaining negotiations since March 31, but haven't been capable to scope an agreement, says an update from Durham Regional Transit posted to its website. 

To hole for a imaginable work disruption if transit workers spell connected strike, the transit bureau says it volition extremity autobus work by 11 p.m. Friday. 

If a onslaught doesn't happen, regular autobus work volition resume Saturday. 

The Durham Region Transit Commission is expected to contiguous a last connection to the bargaining committee connected Thursday, but the national is not assured it volition beryllium capable to deter onslaught action, Unifor said successful a news release.

Wages are a cardinal sticking constituent successful the declaration negotiations, with the national arguing that transit workers successful surrounding "905-area code" municipalities similar Mississauga and Brampton gain up to $5 much per hr than Durham Region Transit employees for doing the aforesaid work, contempt moving successful communities with akin colonisation sizes and maturation projections. 

"We are warring tirelessly to adjacent this unjust wage spread and unafraid a just declaration that recognizes the hard work, dedication and professionalism of DRT members," said Unifor Local 222 President Jeff Gray successful the Unifor quality release. 

Members voted 98 per cent successful enactment of taking onslaught action, if necessary, connected May 21, the quality merchandise says.

Durham Region Transit provides work for Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge, and Whitby.