News Release

HRM makes final offer,

urges ATU to take it to a vote

(Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012) – Halifax Regional Council today approved a final offer for Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508 in an effort to end a strike that began Feb. 2.

Mayor Peter Kelly said he felt the offer was fair to both sides.

"Council and I unanimously endorsed this offer,” said Mayor Kelly. “We are confident that it lays the groundwork for an extremely cost-effective and efficient transit system."

The Mayor said Council was very aware of the difficulties that the dispute has caused for residents and expressed the hope that, when a new contract is finally signed, it will ensure labour peace for the future.

"We are encouraging the ATU bargaining team to take our latest offer to the membership," said Metro Transit Director Eddie Robar. "We’ve drilled down to the very core of what we can deliver with an offer that protects taxpayers and transit users from rising costs and respects ATU’s concerns."

More information will be provided through regular communications channels, including halifax.ca/metrotransit; on twitter @hfxtransit; through regular transit ticket retail outlets; and, media once details can be confirmed regarding the return to full transit operations and plans to honour previously purchased transit passes.

Metro Transit is the primary transportation service provider in HRM and the largest transit system in Atlantic Canada, comprised of over 300 buses and three ferries. In addition to its conventional fixed route system with 61 routes, including the premium MetroLink and MetroX services, it operates three Community Transit routes, the harbour ferry service and the door-to-door Access-A-Bus service for persons with disabilities.

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010

Shaune MacKinlay
HRM Corporate Communications
490-6531