The union representing striking City of Brampton workers says it will allow buses to cross picket lines starting Friday evening.

Fabio Gazzola, president of CUPE Local 831, told CityNews the decision to let the buses run was made “as a sign of good faith” amid the stalled labor dispute.

About 1,200 full-time and temporary city workers, including in transportation, animal control, road maintenance and city hall services, went on strike at 1 a.m. Thursday after contract negotiations with the city did not reach an agreement.

Picket lines were set up in several places, including at the city’s two transit stations. Even though the strike does not include bus drivers, they are blocked from entering their transit stations by the strikers.

The result is that more than 100,000 people find themselves stranded without transit.

“You want money, but we also want to go there and this is completely unreasonable,” said a frustrated public transport user at the Bramalea bus terminal.

Gazzola said he understands and sympathizes with the frustration felt by transit riders.

“It was sized appropriately to begin with. The intention is not to disrupt the city, but to reach an agreement,” he told CityNews.

The union has been working on a new collective agreement for nearly nine months, demanding wage increases and better health and social benefits.

The city says its offer is fair – and final – and emphasizes that it is the same one that was accepted by Mississauga municipal employees.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he was “deeply disappointed” by the disruption.

“This is unacceptable when CUPE was offered a fair, multi-year agreement identical to the Mississauga agreement,” he wrote in a message on social media. “Brampton residents deserve better, and we will explore every avenue possible to restore services. »

Before the union said it would allow buses to run unimpeded, Brown threatened legal action to get the city moving again.

“They (bus drivers) are going to continue to go there every day trying to get to work,” Brown told CityNews. “And frankly, if the City needs to seek an injunction to stop this unfair labor practice and ensure that this essential service can be provided, we will do so. »