The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) isn't running today. The union has declared a wildcat strike. Therefore, RightGirl is all dressed up, with nowhere to go. I had considered walking to work, but it's too humid and smoggy. At best, I can work from home. At worst, I lose a vacation day.

The battle between Toronto Transit Commission union and management has been brewing for months on several issues including driver security, health premiums, job evaluations and shifting for employees who do track maintenance and cleaning for the TTC.

Union officials warned of a possible strike on the weekend, claiming management was not properly addressing the concerns of employees.

Maintenance workers reportedly instigated the strike, and other employees followed suit.

The maintenance staff are pissed off because their shifts are changing. And the drivers are angry because they feel their work is too dangerous. As always, I can't help but ask why they stay with jobs that make them so unhappy. Certainly there is other work out there?

The TTC wants 53 of 87 janitors and 53 of 91 subway track workers permanently moved to the night shift from day jobs as part of a cost-savings measure.

Another main issue in the dispute is the safety of fare collectors, who were told last week by Amalgamated Transit Union president Bob Kinnear not to engage in fare disputes because of a recent spike in assaults by passengers.

The union said it is looking for firm timelines for the installation of surveillance cameras and protective shields that have been promised.

Toronto Mayor David Miller, who called on the province's labour minister over the weekend for help in resolving the dispute, said he was "extremely disappointed" in the union leadership.

That comment from Miller is snort-worthy, given the fact that he's a huge NDP/union supporter.

Hey - while we're on the subject of unions, have you heard about CUPE? For shame.