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Horwath addresses HSR strike with firm stance on wage increase
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath released a strong statement regarding the HSR city bus worker strike on Tuesday night.
In a written statement, she stated that the city is offering transit workers a wage increase of 12.75 per cent over four years, the same raise accepted by over 3,200 city CUPE members. She believes this increase helps address the rising cost of living.
“A wage increase higher than that would be unfair to Hamilton’s other unions and to the people of Hamilton, whose transit fares and property taxes would go up as a result, at a time that’s financially difficult for people,” said Horwath.
“This fact won’t change before or after the Grey Cup is played in our great city.”
READ MORE: Concerns rise as Grey Cup nears, HSR strike continues
However, the union argues that the proposed wage increase isn’t enough.
It’s the sixth day and 880 HSR workers are still on strike.
ATU Local 107 says it’s willing to move on wages, but there’s not point in meeting if the city’s not willing to move as well.
We care about transit workers and about resolving this strike in a way that’s fair to them, our other unions, and all of Hamilton. My statement encouraging union leadership to come back to the table:
— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) November 14, 2023
