City workers seek help in contract talks

Union members hope conciliator will assist with bargaining process

The union representing more than 20,000 City of Toronto inside workers has asked for help from a provincial conciliator in contract talks.

CUPE Local 79 filed for conciliation Friday, saying it hopes the move will “lead to more constructive discussions at the bargaining table.” The city is also trying to get a new contract with more than 5,000 outside workers in Local 416. Both contracts expired Dec. 31.

If the inside workers and city management are unable to reach a deal with the help of the conciliator, either side can ask the provincial Ministry of Labour for a no-board report, which would start a 17-day countdown toward a possible strike by the union or a lockout by the city.

Local 79 members include city planners, child-care workers and summer recreation staff. That countdown toward a possible work stoppage is expected to begin soon for the outside workers, who include some snow-clearing staff and collectors of garbage and recycling east of Yonge Street.

The city, which started negotiations with Local 416 before Local 79, asked the province this week for a no-board in those talks. Labour Minister Monte McNaughton is expected to issue that report any day. Local 79 president Dave Mitchell said he hopes a conciliator can help reach a deal with the city so the inside workers don’t have to face a work stoppage countdown.

“We’re looking for a contract that protects public services, provides job security and a fair compensation package,” Mitchell said in a written statement.

“We look forward to bringing in a conciliation officer to help get some substantive discussions going.”

Outstanding issues in talks with both unions include job security provisions, benefits and pay. Their last two contracts, in 2011 and 2016, have included limits on job security, rollbacks in benefits and belowinflation pay hikes.

Last week, Mayor John Tory confirmed the city is seeking similar new agreements. “We’re certainly not looking to go backwards on some of the progress we made on giving the city increased flexibility,” on how to provide city services and the cost of doing so, Tory told reporters.

Permanent city staff have more job security than many private-sector workers, “fair” pay and benefits, and good pensions, Tory said. “I think it’s a very fair package that people have today and that we’re offering going forward.”