Hope on the horizon: ONTC management, unions collaborate on restructuring plan.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: Ontario Northland Transportation Commission

A confidential report recommending a likely major restructuring of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) should be in Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael GraveIle's hands by early April.

ONTC administration and organized labour began huddling in early February to work on a so-called management options report in an attempt to avoid having Queen's Park dismantle the 112-year-old Crown agency and auction off its rail, bus and telecommunications assets.

"We feel some pressure to get it done," said Paul Gou-let, president and CEO of the North Bay-headquartered agency. "We'll all work better if we have a timeline, but on the other hand, there isn't an absolute drop-dead date."

Premier Kathleen Wynne's visit to North Bay in February seemed to kick-start discussions between management and members of the General Chairperson's Association (GCA), representing unionized employees at the commission.

After some early frustration, GCA spokesman Brian Kelly emerged from the meeting relieved that the unions will have a say in the restructuring efforts despite some initial scheduling missteps.

"It was a very positive meeting and we're very encouraged by it," said Kelly.

"We had a pretty good conversation on what's ailing the organization and the problems we've been having in trying to get together and formulate a plan."

Branded as a chronic money-loser by the former Mc-Guinty government, a controversial decision was made in March 2012 to start the divestment process, much to the outcry of community leaders and industry in the northeast. The new Wynne government said it is willing to look at options other than divestment.

Kelly said the disconnect between ministry bureaucrats in Sudbury and ONTC management has always been a systemic problem with the organization.

Provincial auditor general Bonnie Lysyk said as much in her scathing December report that the commission and ministry officials did not have a "trusting or open relationship" to ensure transparent communication.

"That's been the frustrating part and it took the premier to clear the deck to finally allow us to meet," said Kelly.

ONTC management started working on the options report last September but with labour coming to the table six months into process, Goulet said that shouldn't be interpreted as their input not being meaningful.

"Nobody's made any decisions," said Goulet, "and we're going to take their input seriously. The greater question is what happens to the plan...