OC Transpo Staff Ratify New Three-Year Contract, Ensuring Service Continuity

Workers at OC Transpo, the public transit service for the City of Ottawa, have ratified a new three-year contract. The decision was made by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279, who voted to accept the agreement on Sunday. This development comes as the Ottawa City Council prepares to review the contract during an in-camera session scheduled for September 24, 2025.

ATU Local 279 President Noah Vineberg characterized the vote as a difficult choice for union members. He noted that many were concerned the new deal does not adequately address the gap between their compensation and industry standards, leaving several key issues unresolved. In a statement on the ATU 279 website, he expressed appreciation for the members’ commitment to the residents of Ottawa.

“Instead of using the public as pawns, our members chose to prioritize safety, reliability, affordability, and quality of transit service,” Vineberg stated. “That is what the residents of a capital city in the best nation in the world deserve.” He emphasized that accepting the contract guarantees “there will be no disruption in service.”

City Solicitor Stuart Huxley confirmed in a memo to the City Council that ATU 279 had voted in favor of the new agreement. He indicated that city staff would present the contract for ratification during the upcoming meeting. “On behalf of the Labour Relations team, I am seeking to bring this agreement to Council’s attention for an in-camera session,” Huxley wrote.

The previous contract for OC Transpo workers was in effect from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025. The terms of the new agreement were reached on August 30, 2023, after 21 days of negotiations between the city and the union.

This new contract comes at a crucial time for the City of Ottawa, which is grappling with a significant budget deficit and stagnant ridership as it emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. OC Transpo is currently projecting a $46.6 million deficit this year, attributed to reduced fare revenue and a lack of funding support from higher levels of government.

Looking ahead, the 2026 budget directions require city staff to develop the OC Transpo budget with a proposed transit levy increase ranging from 3 to 15 percent, alongside potential fare increases between 2.5 and 7.5 percent. These measures reflect the ongoing financial challenges facing the city and its transit system as it seeks to maintain service levels for residents.