Why would 2,100 drivers, mechanics and dispatchers walk off the job right before Christmas? And why is it important to taxpayers that city negotiators dig in?

The strike was largely triggered by the demand that OC Transpo management take over driver scheduling from the union. Supporters say the move would save the City of Ottawa millions of dollars.

"It's worth $8 million in equipment that we don't need to buy. And it's three and a half million dollars in annual savings, so this is significant when you're looking at cutting routes," said Councillor Rainer Bloess.

"If you can save money that saves those routes, I think that's very important."

But the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 believes the scheduling issue is vital to its members - a matter of dignity and respect that helps explain why they chose to strike now.

Have Your Say: How has the strike affected you?

The city's final offer also included:

  • a seven-per cent wage increase over three years;
  • a one-time payment of $2,000 to all ATU members;
  • two additional uncertified sick leave days per year, raising the total to eight;
  • the chance to bank up to 12 sick days for use in future years;
  • reducing the number of "Short 6" runs for drivers who don't want to work 12 days out of 14;
  • more straight nine to 10-hour runs that would provide more days off;
  • sufficient recovery time between trips to allow for rest and stretching.

In a Tuesday memo to union members, OC Transpo general manager Alain Mercier said the city would also pay for a union representative to work full-time for 18 months at helping review run cuts.

The union is asking for a 10.5 per cent pay raise over a three-year period, plus concessions on sick days, the scheduling issue, and workplace safety insurance. The workers have been without a contract since April.

Bloess tried to get OC Transpo declared an essential service with binding arbitration as the ultimate solution.

The motion died after being reviewed by the city's legal staff. Any essential service designation would be a federal responsibility, since OC Transpo crosses provincial boundaries into Gatineau.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley