Transit Union and Durham Region Reach Tentative Deal, Averting Strike Threat
Durham transit workers narrowly avoid strike as union reaches tentative agreement, promising continued service amid ongoing contract negotiations
More than 600 Durham transit operators, maintenance workers, and dispatchers will remain on the job after their union announced a tentative agreement with Durham Region, narrowly avoiding a strike that was set to begin Saturday. This breakthrough comes after weeks of tense negotiations and mounting public concern over disrupted transit service.
Unifor Local 222, representing the affected workers, confirmed that the proposed deal addresses key bargaining issues but withheld further details pending a ratification vote. "We will share more information with our members in the coming days," union officials stated. The contract will be put before the membership for approval, with voting expected imminently—bringing hope for a swift conclusion to the labor dispute.
One of the central points in the negotiations was the longstanding wage disparity between Durham Region Transit workers and their counterparts in nearby “905-area code” municipalities, including Mississauga and Brampton. Employees in those neighbouring regions reportedly earn up to $5 more per hour, making the issue of fair compensation a major sticking point for the union.
Efforts to secure a new contract began after the previous agreement expired on March 31. As negotiations dragged on, union members overwhelmingly signaled their willingness to take job action—voting by 98 percent in favor of a strike on May 21. This strong mandate gave negotiators further leverage as the deadline approached.
With a potential strike now averted, thousands of transit users across Durham Region can expect uninterrupted service while both sides await the upcoming ratification vote. Should the agreement be approved, it would mark the end of months of uncertainty for both workers and the public relying on local transit.
