OTTAWA (AFP) — Lawmakers on Sunday passed emergency legislation forcing Toronto's metro and bus workers back to work just in time for Monday's morning rush hour, after a surprise strike on the weekend.
Nearly 9,000 bus, subway and streetcar drivers, maintenance workers and other staff in Canada's biggest city were expected to be back on the job by Sunday evening, officials said.
Workers who refuse could face fines up to 2,000 dollars per day, plus 25,000 dollars for their union.
"It goes without saying that Toronto, our capital city, plays an important role for all Ontarians," said Premier Dalton McGuinty. "By acting on behalf of Toronto workers, and families and businesses, we are acting in the best interests of all Ontarians."
The Toronto transit system moves 1.5 million commuters per day.
Just before the strike started at midnight Friday, 65 percent of the members of the union representing the public transit workers had voted against a three-year, tentative agreement with the Toronto Transit Commission.
Union chief Bob Kinnear said the strike was launched without warning to keep transit workers from facing anger from commuters.
The union had warned that it could go on strike last week until it reached a last-minute agreement, which included a three-percent salary increase per year and unspecified benefits.
The rushed bill imposes arbitration on issues that are still outstanding between the transit commission and its union. If the two sides cannot agree on a mediator within five days, the government will appoint one.
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