Striking transit workers to vote on pact

OTTAWA, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Striking transit workers in Ottawa were ordered by a federal official Wednesday to vote on a labor contract offer their leaders rejected.

Labor Minister Rona Ambrose directed the workers to vote on the city's offer Jan. 9, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. City officials had requested the offer be put up for a vote in hopes it will end the 3-week strike that has idled Ottawa's buses and light rail service.

Ambrose has the authority to force a vote under Canadian labor law, the CBC noted. The two sides hadn't negotiated since Dec. 23 with employee scheduling rules the main bone of contention.

"I am concerned about the impacts that this work stoppage is having on the traveling public who have no other readily available mode of transport, particularly the elderly and people who are dependent on this service," Ambrose said in a statement. "Therefore I have decided to provide an opportunity to the employees in the bargaining unit to accept or reject the last offer received from the employer."

About 2,300 drivers, dispatchers and maintenance staff represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 struck Dec. 10.

Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien said he was happy with the labor minister's action, while ATU Local 279 President Andre Cornellier said he was very disappointed.