TTC Employees In Unhealthy Work Environment May Strike Next Week Over Pay Deduction Issue

March 26, 2008 10:46 a.m. EST

Toronto, Canada (AHN) - Within one week a transport strike may paralyze Canada's capital city unless the impasse on compensation for injured TTC workers is resolved. An Ontario mediator will attempt to broker a deal between TTC and the workers' union on Thursday, but union head Bob Kinnear is not optimistic of a positive outcome.

Kinnar assured Toronto residents he has not given up and that the union is doing its best not to resort to job walk offs since their 8,900 members are aware of the transportation woes of city residents who deal daily with overcrowded buses and subways and poor service.

The root of the dispute is loss of 25 percent of income among TTC employees who avail of short-term leaves of absence due to a job-related injury. Even if the transport crew qualify for workers' compensation, it still is less 15 percent. In contrast, city employees and TTC management enjoy 100 percent of their salary if they become sick or injured while working.

Kinnear told the Toronto Star, "We feel that it is completely justifiable that when we have members that are being punched, kicked and spat upon, there there is no financial penalty to them."

Among the frequent injuries reported by TTC staff were sprains, strains and tears, post-traumatic stress, contusions, bruises and fractures. Of the 137 work-related injury claims filed in 2007, 42 percent came from vehicle operators, while mechanical and maintenance workers accounted for less than 6 percent.

Kinnear said TTC workers must not be penalized for working in an unsafe environment.