Continuing uncertainty over strike ‘frustrating’ for riders

The fear of possible transit disruptions has a lot of riders “on edge,” says a member of the group that speaks for the city’s bus riders.

“It’s definitely making everyone nervous. People are trying to figure out possible alternatives in case something does happen,” said Cameron McMillan, a spokesperson for the Bus Riders of Saskatoon group.

The transit union served the city a 48-hour strike notice Sept. 16. The two sides went back to the bargaining table last week and the city made the union an offer. Union members voted over the weekend on whether to put the latest offer to a vote. The overwhelming majority — 92.4 per cent — said no.

Transit union president Jim Yakubowski said no job action will be taken until after the union has met with the city again. A press release issued Tuesday evening from the union said parties are set to reconvene at the bargaining table on Oct. 11.

He admits it’s a “frustrating ” situation for everyone.

“They should just go on strike and to hell with it,” said bus rider Raymond Ninny, who was waiting for a bus at the downtown terminal Tuesday afternoon. “I think it will go on and on and on and nothing.”

Ninny said he walked everywhere during the 2014 transit lockout and is prepared to walk everywhere again — he’s just tired of hearing about the fouryear-long labour dispute.

Emmanauel Barker, vicepresident of operations and finance for the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU), said there are “very strong concerns” on campus about the possibility of a transit strike or disruptions in service.

“I received many, many messages from students who were concerned about whether they are going to be able to get to school on time,” he said.

In the event of a full strike, the USSU has said it will withhold funds that students pay for their universal bus passes.

If the union does take job action, Yakubowski maintains options such as a rotating strike or an overtime ban would be the first step.

It’s definitely making everyone nervous.