Commuters in Durham Region may soon experience disruptions in transit services due to ongoing negotiations between Durham Region Transit (DRT) and Unifor Local 222, the union representing DRT's front-line employees. The current collective agreement is set to expire on June 7, 2025, and if a new deal is not reached by this date, the union could legally go on strike.
The negotiations began on March 31, 2025, but despite 12 days of talks, no agreement has been reached. Bill Holmes, the general manager of DRT, addressed the situation in a statement, expressing concern over the pace of discussions. "DRT and Unifor have engaged in productive discussions to improve the quality of work for all employees. Unfortunately, Unifor requested a No Board Report from the Ministry of Labour, which was issued on May 21, 2025," Holmes noted. This report legally positions Unifor Local 222 to strike starting June 7, 2025, although Holmes emphasized that this does not guarantee a strike will occur on that date.
In a show of potential discontent, 616 unionized transit workers—including operators, maintenance staff, dispatchers, and those involved in specialized services—recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action, with 98 percent supporting this course of action. The key issues behind the impasse center around wages, as the union seeks to address discrepancies between their employees' pay and that of transit workers in surrounding municipalities like Mississauga and Brampton. According to Unifor Local 222, workers in these areas receive as much as $5 more per hour than their counterparts in Durham Region for similar roles.
Union President Jeff Gray underscored the necessity of addressing this wage disparity, insisting that transit workers in Durham are entitled to fair compensation. "It's time to close the wage gap," Gray declared in a May 22, 2025 press release. "Our members deserve equal pay for equal work. Their skills and dedication to the job must be recognized in the next contract."
The potential for strike action raises concerns for commuters who rely on DRT for their daily transportation needs. With negotiations still ongoing and the deadline looming, the urgency for both DRT management and the union to reach a consensus is apparent.
As the situation continues to evolve, both parties remain under pressure to find common ground to avert service disruptions in Durham Region. With the strike date approaching, the focus will be on whether an agreement can be finalized to ensure the transit system operates smoothly for all those who depend on it.
