Negotiations to end the transit strike that has haunted York Region transit users for months, have once again come to a halt. The Transit Union's President Ray Doyle believes that it is highly likely that the Transit strike will last into the new year. The main logic behind Doyle's thinking is, the vast gap between the union and the municipal government on the fundamental issues of the work stoppage. With the union requesting an increases in salaries of 20 percent over the next 5 years and the government only offering increase of 13.5 percent it is quite vident why the two sides are not meeting directly but instead working through a mediator. The union isn't only working inn the best issues of the workers but also looking to make a point on the issue of private contracting. As Doyle says "This is living proof that private contracting doesn't work
I am not the average kid, and I'll be the first to admit that. I do not rely on public transit to take me anywhere. My parents drive me wherever I want to go . However this issue does affect me. When I arrange to meet with a friend and they aren't able to meet with me due to the fact that the hare being held up at their local transit facilities due to picketers, I am affected by the issue. The municipal government needs to act in the best interest of the population, and make an acceptable offer. If they don't do this soon, we may be looking at a not so Happy New Year.
"