Striking workers in the City of Brampton suspended their picket lines Monday to show their respect for veterans, meaning the city’s transit buses ran their regular schedules without interruption.

The strike, which began last Thursday, has hampered Brampton’s bus service. On Thursday and Friday, bus service was completely disrupted, but on Saturday it partially resumed. Striking municipal workers demonstrated at Brampton Transit garages, which prevented buses from leaving the buildings because bus operators would not cross picket lines.

Fabio Gazzola, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 831, declined to say whether workers would protest at the Brampton Transit garages on Tuesday.

“Honestly, our strategy and our conversations are our daily life,” Gazzola said Monday.

“We didn’t want to be on strike from day one. All we’re looking for is to negotiate a fair deal on behalf of our members. We take it day by day. We don’t plan things out a week or so two from now.

The union, which represents nearly 1,200 full- and part-time municipal employees, has been without a contract since April 9. The union does not represent bus operators, who are members of the Amalgamated Transportation Union (ATU) Local 1573, but Gazzola said it represents some transit employees.

Gazzola said the picket lines were suspended Monday because the union did not want to interfere with Memorial Day.

“CUPE is convinced that this is a day of respect. Under no circumstances would we dishonor the veterans who fought and died in the war to give us the freedoms we have, like going on strike. easy decision,” Gazzola said.

WATCH | CBC’s Tyler Cheese reports that Brampton strikers are taking a break on Remembrance Day:

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, however, said the city would seek an injunction if the union decides to protest again this week at transit facilities. He said limited bus service was unacceptable.

“Our transit operators are not on strike. They have been waiting in line every day to get to work, but there has been a picket line that has prevented them from working.”

Brown said the union should accept the deal currently on the table. He said the city’s offer is the same deal signed by Mississauga municipal workers who are also represented by CUPE.

“If CUPE Mississauga is happy and they just signed this agreement, we hope CUPE Brampton can sign the same agreement,” Brown said.

“We do not want our residents to witness these disruptions. This is causing real frustrations for residents who rely on public transportation and other municipal services. We hope the strike can end as soon as possible.”

The union is demanding a pay increase and the same health and benefits package given to management. The employees on strike include those responsible for parks and recreation, road maintenance, animal control, courthouse services, bylaw enforcement and building inspections and permits.

Transportation disruptions causing hardship, residents say

Brampton residents said transit disruptions were causing difficulties.

“I lost at least three shifts last week, and as a caregiver, you know what that means to me. It affects me everywhere,” Praise Vivian Moneke said.

For Elizabeth De La Paz, the disruptions forced her to take taxis to get to work.

“It’s $20 from my house to my job. It’s hard,” she said.