Transit services in Waterloo, Ontario are continuing as normal after workers represented by Unifor Local 4304 voted to ratify a new three-year collective agreement on May 3, 2026. The deal ensures that buses, ION light rail, and MobilityPLUS paratransit services remain available for the more than 650,000 residents who rely on Grand River Transit daily.
The new contract, which took effect on May 1, 2026, and runs until April 30, 2029, was reached following intense negotiations that began in February. A strike had been set for 12:01 a.m. on May 1, but was avoided after a tentative agreement was secured on April 30. The union, which represents approximately 820 to 850 employees—including operators, maintenance staff, and service attendants—had previously delivered a 93% strike mandate to support their bargaining position.
The agreement addresses core concerns raised by workers during the bargaining process, specifically focusing on wages and the protection of transit routes from being contracted out. In addition to wage and benefit gains, the deal includes expanded health coverage for employees between the ages of 67 and 75.
While the union members have voted to ratify the agreement, the Region of Waterloo is expected to hold a special meeting of the regional council in the coming days to finalize the contract.
