Union president updates on possible city worker strike

While the city has been seeking greater “flexibility” from its work force, Mr. Maguire has repeatedly said his union was seeking greater “stability” for its many part-time and mostly female workers, including guaranteed minimum hours and more predictable scheduling.

CUPE Local 79 president Tim Maguire says the city’s inside workers will proceed with a work-to-rule campaign Monday morning unless there is “sufficient progress” in negotiations with the city. “Our position has been clear and consistent; we have removed dozens of proposals from the table, the City has not”.

“If we need to again go past that deadline to get collective agreements that meet the needs of our members then we’ll do that”.

A modest wage increase, consistent with other city employee group.

“While the Mayor has told Toronto residents he’s interested in a fair deal, it is clear his bargaining team has been instructed to push for a deal that would leave City workers with less than they have today”.

The work-to-rule campaign would include workers taking their breaks and restricting their duties to only those outlined in their job description.

A work stoppage would not only cancel recreation programs across the city, but also would leave thousands of parents scrambling for child-care arrangements.

“There has been some improvement on some issues, but it’s not quickly enough”, Maguire said.

“Tomorrow morning, if there’s not the pace that we need…”