The GO bus service was suspended because nearly 2200 bus operators, station hosts, and other staff are on strike. Despite the work disruption, trains will continue to run and stations will remain open.

Contract talks have also been ongoing since last April between the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 and Metrolinx, the regional agency that manages and integrates roads and public transit in the Greater Toronto and Golden Horseshoe areas, as union members have been without a contract since June 1.

Moreover, in a statement released late last night, ATU Local 1587 said it was unable to secure a deal with the employer. Rob Cormier, president of ATU Local 1587, said contract talks collapsed due to safety concerns, especially regarding the hiring of workers under contracts from external companies. He also said in the statement: "Negotiations failed because Metrolinx failed to show up with a reasonable offer to address any of our key issues. Protection against subcontracting is essential to ensure that experienced workers are safely and efficiently operating GO Transit. Without this protection, Metrolinx can subcontract to companies that employ inexperienced workers in risky and non-union jobs."

Meanwhile, Metrolinx said the union walked out of weekend talks and refused to return to the negotiating table today. The company spokeswoman, Ann Marie Aikins, said in a statement she hopes both sides will reach an agreement after Metrolinx offered 67 contract "improvements," adding that Metrolinx acknowledges the union’s concerns about safety and job security, but has taken steps to address these concerns.

In the same context, Aikins said: "For 22 years, we have had language in the agreement that protects the job security of our ATU employees," adding that Metrolinx remains "open to discussing ways forward" with the union. GO bus passengers are advised to plan ahead and leave early.

Travelers can get the latest updates on the service situation by visiting the GO Transit website and social media accounts. Additionally, the union will hold a press conference about the GO Transit strike on Monday at 9 a.m. at Maple Leaf Square.

The GO Transit strike comes just three days after 55,000 education workers in Ontario began work actions after their union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, failed to reach a contract agreement with the provincial government.