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sent a letter to local [mliuciam earlier this. week saying the strike “has been devastatâ€" ing to our businesses and the community at large that depends upon it. putting up yt-t another hurdle as they try to survive in the cum-m economic downturn". 'lhat was a point echoed by Nualgam‘ ated V'fl‘ansil Union Local |587 president Ray Doyle. who added writers also want to get back 10 work and nut mriflcc any mum salary or the rapport drivers have built with But he opposes back-m-work legislation. The local MPPs have Cleaned a lot of smoke and no fire. he said. dismissing their efinns aslnolhing more than an illusion far the benefit of constituents. In addition to ending (he strike. the bill also calls for making YRT an essential #4» Vice. which would take away the mukms' abiliw to walk out when labour negmiatiuns fail. ‘ Because the Ivgislaliun would likely. msuh in the parties going to arbitration --â€" just when the union wants. imnically w Mr. [)0er it as link mom than time- waslmg [maturing ' ’ "Our position is. [kills end an»; damn-d thing :oday. go to binding arbitruliun and get the, buses up and running.” he said. » It's a reminch that his not just individqu riders inflected. Mr. Klees "lhv 'l'ltl was deemed an cascnua] si'r vice foliowmg .a 11-qu by Inmnm cuum‘fl Union wants arbitration DO YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE LEASE? Avoid Eflly Termination And Lease Deficiency Fees LeasoBustors Will Get You Out Of Your Lease Fast. Easy And Professionally ham '0, l He said he was sympathetic ,with the hardships transit riders face and them could be a. time when [about Minister Linda Id. frey has to get involved, bu! he would but support the bill beynnd its first reading in the house and mm the govemment’s position mmamed the bus! solution would be negonated by the parties. ~ Mr. Shurman acknowledged it could be “a stretch? to get the bill passed and said they are willing to compmmise on the mammal service aspect if it means ending the strike. which started Oct. 24.“ but it is the! only ()mariu transit service with that desigwation. ‘ “In York Region. in my View. it's more of am essénlial service," Mr. Shurman said. not- ing the wide distances YRI‘ covers and the number of mrmspomlence all lhl’t'e MPPs have mceived from riders outlining their hardships ' ' .V fl think the essentialscn'ice designation is; in etfect. a nonstangr." Vaughan liberal MPI’ Greg Sorbara said, noting it has oniy been oonsidewd following a: request from a municipality. ' The two opposition panics have 54 seats in the legislature while the Liberals hold 52 plus the speaker. Ms leffmy has already her pany would not tabla: its own back-l0» work legislation and u is unlikely the NDP would mm for such a hill. pammlarly since I! has no local MPH, . Mow than SIX) YRI' and Viva MHKCI'S am striking against Hm lmnut. Miner Transit and Veolia. three privalmu ml rm'mn "pom! - mg transit for ank Regina If York’s PC MPPs get their way, the provincial govcfnmcnt will fora YR’I' stafl' back to work. Go to yorbegion.oom for strike updates. Mtnnsltsh‘lo Regional politicians are bvar'mg the bnmt of tour plainls [or perceived inaction while urging the parties In gm back to the table. York Region's transit strike Iums one month oid today and no one is celebrating The lhrec private contracâ€" Inrx who run the aflécted York Rvgion 'I‘ramit and Viva routes . Milk-r 'l‘rdns’il. Fir»! Transit No talks are scheduled. Nu and is in sight. A3 a result. 44.000 ridm an im'n-asingly force-d In walk, miss appointments and vent their frus! rations an the Inter- net. and Veolia aâ€" say they have made fair 0391's. only to be met with messive wage demands from obstinate unions. ' Amalgamated Transit Union Locals 158? and H3 saythcy will me back to work if the companies agree to binding arbitration. D How are you coping with the mush mike? WM you go bad to pub:â€" lic transit when the strike :5 ova? Let us know. Eâ€"ma’ri David Fleisdm at dfleis- chemymgxom TELL US