Sad Day for Windsor Transit Riders — ATU 616 Responds to City Council Vote on Tunnel Service

Sad Day for Windsor Transit Riders
ATU 616 Responds to City Council Vote on Tunnel Service

WINDSOR, ON, February 21, 2025 — The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616 issued the following statement today expressing concern and disappointment in the Vote held at City Hall to determine the future of the Windsor Tunnel service.

After the Mayor used draconian Mayoral superpowers, disregarding the needs of Windsorites and axing the Windsor/ Detroit tunnel service, City Council had one last attempt to reverse the Mayor’s defiance not only regarding the needs of Transit riders but also the collective bargaining process that was negotiated in good faith by ATU 616 representatives and ratified by membership.

In today’s vote to reconsider the decision of Mayor Dilkens, City Council failed to meet the required 2/3 vote threshold to overturn the mayor’s Veto power.

“It's alarming that Mayor Dilkens once again voted on a motion he himself put forward, thereby skewing the voting results. The Mayor’s vote should be considered a conflict of interest and used only as a tie-breaker. Today’s vote should have been recorded as 6-4, but including the Mayor’s vote, it was registered as 6-5. Similarly, the original vote in January should have been counted as 7-3, but including the Mayor’s vote, it was recorded as 7-4. It appears the mayor only votes on the few motions that are important to him,” said ATU 616 President Dragan Markovic.
 
“I am also surprised at the Mayor’s comments in the Windsor Star, as he was nowhere to be found during negotiations. Regardless, we are extremely disappointed in today’s results, but that will not deter us from our unwavering commitment to our members and Windsorites and protecting what matters. We will continue with our Application to the Federal Labour Board, citing unfair labour practices by Transit Windsor and the City of Windsor,” concluded Markovic.

“I was hopeful that once the city councillors became aware of all the facts and relevant information, they would have supported the continuation of this historic vital transit service.  In addition, the cost savings suggested by the Mayor were greatly exaggerated and the ten federally mandated sick days he referred to must still be paid to our members until the end of the year – so why are they cancelling the bus service now?” said ATU International Vice President, Manny Sforza.