Hamilton considering transit deal

Hamilton city council will hold a special closed-door meeting today to discuss a proposed deal that could avoid a transit strike or lockout starting as early as Thursday.

The union representing almost 700 transit workers has proposed a 1-year deal, instead of the usual 4-year contract, partly to move the contract cycle away from municipal elections.

Key issues for members of Amalgamated Transit Union local 107, who have been working without a contract since December, include benefits and working conditions.

The last transit strike in 1998 dragged on for nearly three months, and a longer strike would result in a potentially embarrassing transit shutdown during this summer’s Pan Am Games.

A strike now would also have a huge impact on students, especially those at Mohawk College and McMaster University where final exams are about to get underway.