Ford denies claims that Toronto has walked away from union talks

Mayor Rob Ford took the to the airwaves Thursday morning to reject claims that the city has walked away from the bargaining table with its outside workers.

Speaking on CP24, the mayor said any accusation that City Hall has cut off negotiations with CUPE Local 416 are “factually incorrect.”

“We didn’t walk away from the table,” he told interviewer Stephen LeDrew. “We’re bargaining in good faith. That’s what we want. That’s what the taxpayers want. If the other side wants to spread stories, I can’t help that.”

The mayor was responding to a press release issued by Local 416 late Wednesday contending that city negotiators had dropped talks with the union and filed for conciliation after the union rejected a proposal to replace some full-time workers with part-time workers across multiple city divisions. Such a move would push the city one step closer to a strike or lockout in January, an outcome both union and city sources say is inevitable.

If a province-appointed conciliator cannot hammer out a deal between the parties, the Minister of Labour will issue a “No Board” report, giving both sides 17 days before they’re in a legal strike or lockout position.

“We have been and remain ready to bargain, but the city’s approach has been to use the process in an effort to provoke Local 416 and our members into a reaction,” said Mark Ferguson, president of Local 416, in the release. “Let me be perfectly clear. Our members understand what is at stake for our community and we will not be provoked.” A request for conciliation is tantamount to declaring a stalemate in collective bargaining.

“We’re not surprised,” said Mark Ferguson, president of Local 416, who called negotiations over the past few weeks with the city “tough, but productive.”

While Mr. Ferguson has said repeatedly that he expects his 8,000 members to be locked out in January, the mayor contended Thursday morning that he is looking for a deal.

“I want to come to an agreement or a deal with the union and I think that’s what everybody wants,” said Mr. Ford. “Nobody wants to see a strike. You know what, hopefully it doesn’t go down that road. We can’t be pushed around or bullied and everyone understands that. I want to make sure taxpayers get the best bang for the dollar and labour gets a fair deal.”

Origin
Source: Globe