Toronto’s inside workers push back strike deadline to Monday

A work-to-rule campaign would not disrupt any city services, Maguire explained, but workers would be taking the breaks they are legally entitled to, coordinating breaks and not doing any duties outside of their immediate job descriptions.

The City of Toronto’s inside workers say they plan to begin a work-to-rule campaign if there is no deal in place by the Monday morning deadline.

“I’m here to announce… that we’re concerned about the slow pace of these talks”, said Maguire. “We’ve still not seen significant movement in key areas”.

“The City achieves savings and efficiencies every day, as these dedicated workers arrive early, stay late, and work through their breaks and lunches”, said Maguire.

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

The move comes after two previous deadline extensions.

At a press conference on Friday, Mayor John Tory said the tentative deal with Local 416 was “responsible” and fell within the mandate that City Council had given its labour relations committee.

He added that “such an escalation will not assist the efforts being made” to reach a collective agreement.

Pointing to the union’s decision last week to drop demands for benefits enhancements the city said would cost $9.5-million, he said he hoped the city would also compromise at the ‎bargaining table.

The bargaining is expected to continue Monday morning. “This work to rule action will give the City a clear idea of just how much our members give to the City”.