[oldeguy]

As a member of a public service union, that has been on strike, two too many times, I can understand the viewpoint of the Maintenance workers for the TTC. Once an employer sees that they can save money using outside workers, at least on paper, they jump at the opportunity. However, the use of "outside workers" has it's pitfalls, from poor workmanship to constant callbacks, which may or maynot be at an additional charge to the employer. With these new buses being under warranty, I can see why the TTC is having them repaired by the manufacturer. But, it should have been part of the purchase contract that the manufacturer train the TTC workers in the new technology within the buses.

The only bad move that the union did in walking out was not giving more notice to the "customers" of their walkout. Mind you, I think giving 48 hours notice, from a Union standpoint is not a good move. I've heard it was the management that closed down the system at midnight, and also that the union thought it would be safer for it's members to not give notice.

Irregardless, the union had every right to reject the offer, and to walkout.