Taxi drivers affiliated with the Blue Line union in Ottawa will reportedly stage a work stoppage starting from Friday afternoon.
In the heart of Ottawa, a significant development is unfolding as Blue Line Taxi drivers prepare for a strike, scheduled to commence at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. The strike is a result of contract negotiations between Unifor and the taxi company's employer, Coventry Connections, breaking down.
At the centre of the dispute is a demand by Blue Line Taxi for a 20% increase in taxi stand fees. Coventry Connections, however, claims that this increase will allow for investments in hybrid taxis and hybrid accessible vans, aiming to reduce operating costs and fuel consumption.
The proposed stand rent for Blue Line drivers will be $550 a month in year one, escalating to $600 in year two and $650 in year three. Coventry Connections argues that these changes will pave the way for a more competitive and customer-centered taxi service in the coming years.
Lana Payne, Unifor's national president, has expressed concern, stating, "Workers deserve respect, not ultimatums." Unifor Local 1688 President Bahdon Issa echoes this sentiment, labelling the massive stand fee hike as a "direct pay cut for drivers."
The strike will affect 494 full-time drivers at Blue Line Taxi. In a statement, Coventry Connections claims that it has not increased the fees drivers pay for dispatching services in over 10 years.
The strike is expected to impact services at key locations such as the airport, train station, government departments, hospitals, hotels, and Para Transpo. Coventry Connections asserts that the increase in stand rent will secure these accounts.
Unifor has announced that 93.6% of Blue Line Taxi workers have voted in favour of strike action. In response, Coventry Connections maintains that it's not a lockout, and Blue Line will remain open for business.
During the strike, striking taxi drivers plan to gather at the Blue Line Taxi head office on Coventry Road. Meanwhile, Way, from Blue Line Taxi, encourages drivers who decide not to work during the strike to respect the decision, but urges the rest of the drivers to keep working.
As the situation unfolds, both parties continue to express their positions, with Unifor advocating for fair working conditions and Coventry Connections emphasizing the need for investments to ensure a competitive and sustainable future for Blue Line Taxi.
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