What is your opinion on the TTC strike (Toronto,Canada).Their motto is "The Better Way".Does it affect you?

Question

A Union head said that it would give public 48 hours notice before a strkie.Many people were left stranded last night wich was called about 11pm last night without notice.The reason for not notifying the public was because of threats against the drivers last week.I don't imagine the atmoshpere will be warm and fuzzy when they return either .I should mention I don't live in Toronto so it does not affect me at all. I think the way transit users were left stranded with no wat home and no regard for their safety should be an issue addresses.My daughter was in T.O. to watch a musical downtown.They drove partway and took the subway to downtown Toronto..My 11 year old grandson was with her.I would have been angry if they had been left stranded at 11pm in a city they were barely familiar with.Instead of the TTC motto of The Better Way maybe they should change it to You 'll Wish You Hadn't. Trust me if I were an affected worker,I'd be forming carpools and sticking with them after the strike,

Answer 1

I don't know what to think because I had plans for today involving the TTC and now I don't really have a choice but to cancel. It really isn't fair but we can't do anything but wait. I just hope it will be over soon.

Answer 2

It was a long walk from Bathurst and Steeles to the Annex at 1 am.   It was so nice of the TTC to give us the heads up.   Likewise, it was nice of all the friendly neighborhood cab drivers to demand minimum fares (completely illegal)

The TTC is a necessity for some.  I am one of those.   I respect the right of the workers to fight for what they think is fair.  However without us commuters, you don't have a job.  You don't have a purpose, the lease that could have been done is to give us some notice to make alternative plans.

Answer 3

I live in Toronto and yes I have heard there were teenagers, seniors etc. stuck downtown last night with no way home. Getting a Taxi within FOUR hours was a stretch -If they were going to do this they should have done it at 3am or at least given the 48 hours notice they promised. They are earning about 20 dollars an hour-many of them earning 30-40 dollars an hour so it's not like they're being exploited or anything. What they are doing is holding the public hostage. My autistic 17 year old son was unable to get to work this morning and didn't understand what was going on when he was standing at the bus stop and no bus came. (He stood there for one hour) Finally the Security Guard from our building saw him there and explained to him that the bus was not going to be coming. He then went to the nearby variety store to ask them if it was true and came back home. Fortunately he had the option of waking me up to drive him there. Some people didn't have anyone who could take them to work. Funnily enough Toronto seems less busy today in terms of traffic on the road-I thought it would be a nightmare. Earth day? lol

PS I know how you feel -the odd time my 11 year old would be downtown via ttc with her Dad to a Raptors game which would have finished about then. Truly the TTC really does not care. I bought my first car during a TTC strike even though I live next to a subway only because I couldn't put up with this kind of inconvenience anymore.

Answer 4

I live in Toronto, but downtown is not accesible without the TTC. I think the TTC workers are just playing games now. Since they have an union and they can do whatever the f they want...then why not go for it?!?!

Some TTC workers show concern for the public and they don't necessarity support the union with this decision. However, all the others have somewhat of the "s***w you!" attitude. No matter what they say. They are selfish. If they want to get a $30/hour job, then go to university. They are the highest paying transit workers in Ontario? (i think) I mean, this is unacceptable. They are not living upto their promises (48 hour notice) so why should the public have any respect for them? The lives of 1.5 million is affected just because 9000 workers want more thn 3% raise over the next 3 years.

And YES! It's earth week...i totally get what you mean.

I have no idea when the strike will end, but when it does, the TTC workers can expect a high dose of vulgarity.

Answer 5

I don't use the bus or the TTC, so it does not particularly affect me.  However, I believe as a result of so many people relying on this transportation system, and by utilizing this system, we could also be decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, this strike should be made illegial and all of those that strike should be fined and denied unemployment insurance money.  They should also be determined to be an essential service.  I work as a nurse and we are deemed an essential service and it is illegial for us to strike.  Imagine hospitals if we did the very same thing.  I think the government had better step in or create some other service and completely eliminate the TTC and ban them from getting work in this province.  I gather others will quibble with my answer.  But the drivers and the operators should be held accountable for creating chaos in the city.  This will be awful for those that rely on the service.  Not only does the strike

co-inside with earth day.........it also comes when the gas prices are like way too much.......

Good question Gussie