Thousands of GO Transit workers will strike on Monday after rejecting the latest offer from Metrolinx. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587, representing 2,200 station workers, bus operators, maintenance staff, transit safety officers, and office employees, said 81 percent of its members voted against the transit agency's proposal and instead approved the strike.

Rob Cormier, president of ATU Local 1587, also said in a statement: "We will not accept any deal unless it addresses our core concern, which is contracting out. This basic protection against outsourcing is standard at every other transit agency in our region to ensure that experienced workers operate to guarantee bus safety. Without these protections, Metrolinx can contract out to outside companies."

The workers initially planned to strike on October 31, but it was postponed so the union could present Metrolinx's offer to its members, as they have been without a contract since June. Although the transit agency and union met months before the agreement expired, the two sides failed to reach a new deal, leading union members to vote in August for a strike mandate. Cormier said: "We're fed up — starting Monday, we will picket until we reach an agreement that protects job security for our current and future members. However, we remain committed to meeting with Metrolinx to reach a deal that addresses our concerns and other issues to ensure a safe and reliable transit system for our passengers."

Also, a Metrolinx spokesperson stated that the strike will only affect GO buses and will not impact GO trains.