Sloane backs binding arbitration on transit strike
The councillor for downtown Halifax says it's time the municipality considered binding arbitration to end the Metro Transit strike.
The deadline for striking drivers to accept Halifax Regional Municipality's last offer passed at midnight Friday. Dawn Sloane said she is fed up that the contract dispute returned to square one after more than a month of negotiations.
"Frustrated. Saddened," she said Saturday of her feelings toward the impasse.
Sloane said constituents were calling her to ask why neither side would budge. She said the public has had enough of the strike.
"I'm still thinking that binding arbitration is an option, although I know that's not something the HRM side would like to go into," she said.
"I'm seeing a stalemate. I'm seeing that there's nothing coming to the table and I'm concerned for the livelihood of the drivers, those citizens that have had to make arrangements to get to work, to school, or just day-to-day living."
She said HRM was losing credibility for its public transit and that could deter ridership in the long term.
"We need to get back to the table and we need to get this sorted out, period," she said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-s...bitration.html
On a side note. I was at Alderney Gate this afternoon. For those unfamiliar this is where the Ferries dock as well as a main bus stop in Downtown Dartmouth. I meant to take a picture of a "Specials" sign the local restaurant had there. I believe it read " No Ferries, No Traffic, NO Business"