The City of Toronto today announced its contingency plan for service delivery in the event of a labour disruption involving members of TCEU Local 416 – CUPE, the union representing the City’s outside workers. The City’s approximately 5,000 outside workers will be in a legal strike position and the City in a legal lockout position as of 12:01 a.m. on February 27.
A Local 416 labour disruption would impact the delivery of City services and programs. The most visible impacts of a Local 416 labour disruption would be:
• Suspension of garbage, recycling and organics collection east of Yonge Street and from public parks and litter bins city-wide. There may also be delays to collection west of Yonge Street
• Closure and cancellation of programming and event permits at all City recreation centres, greenhouses and conservatories, pools, arenas and outdoor ice rinks, fitness centres and ski hills
• Limited access to civic centres including Metro Hall and City Hall
• Suspension of non-emergency Toronto Animal Services operations, and reduced animal shelter locations and hours
• Suspension or longer wait times for many City administrative services.
Toronto Police, Fire Services, Paramedic Services, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, TTC, Toronto Community Housing, and Toronto Water operations will not be affected by a labour disruption. The City also remains prepared to respond to emergencies.
The City’s bargaining team has been at the table with Local 416 since last fall and remains committed to negotiating a new collective agreement that is fair and reasonable to employees and affordable for residents.
In the event of a labour disruption, picketing can be expected at City facilities and residents should follow all direction given by picket line monitors when crossing a picket line.
The City continues to be in talks with CUPE Local 79, which represents the City’s more than 24,000 inside workers.
The contingency plan announced today can be found at http://www.toronto.ca/labour. Residents and businesses with questions about the contingency plan should call 311.
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