Just weeks after averting a major labour dispute with the city’s outdoor employees, Toronto is once again under threat of a strike or lockout, this time with 23,000 indoor workers.
Following the same path it took with the 6,000-member CUPE Local 416, the city has requested a “no board” report from the ministry of labour as negotiations with CUPE local 79 hit a roadblock.
This means in just a little over two weeks, the city could impose new employment conditions on its daycare workers, health inspectors, social service workers, lifeguards and long-term workers, among others. At that point, city workers would be in a legal strike position and the city could lock employees out.
Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon, Local 79 Tim Maguire accused the city of dragging its feet.
“The city needs to begin meaningful negotiations rather than threatening tactics,” he said. “After 12 weeks of bargaining the city has not budged. The city has not engaged in meaningful negotiations.”
When asked if the union would be willing to strike, Maguire said, “We’re not interested in a conflict. We want a negotiated settlement”
The contract with CUPE Local 79 expired Dec. 31, 2011.
In February the city signed a four-year deal with its 6,000 outdoor workers’ union. In that down-to-the-wire-contract, the city negotiated major concessions from Local 416 along with a small wage hike, narrowly avoiding a work stoppage.
Most significantly, the union agreed that seniority rights around layoffs can’t begin until an employee has spent 15 years on the job.
The city is expected to go after similar concessions with its indoor workers. Macguire refused to elaborate on what specific concessions the city was seeking.
If the city did impose similar seniority changes, it would affect about 50 per percent of all indoor staff.
In an internal email to staff, city manager Joe Pennachetti said the city is working hard to avoid a labour disruption, but that a contingency plan has been prepared.
The city recently sought a “no board” report for its library union as well.
Original Article
Source: Star
Author: Robyn Doolittle
Following the same path it took with the 6,000-member CUPE Local 416, the city has requested a “no board” report from the ministry of labour as negotiations with CUPE local 79 hit a roadblock.
This means in just a little over two weeks, the city could impose new employment conditions on its daycare workers, health inspectors, social service workers, lifeguards and long-term workers, among others. At that point, city workers would be in a legal strike position and the city could lock employees out.
Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon, Local 79 Tim Maguire accused the city of dragging its feet.
“The city needs to begin meaningful negotiations rather than threatening tactics,” he said. “After 12 weeks of bargaining the city has not budged. The city has not engaged in meaningful negotiations.”
When asked if the union would be willing to strike, Maguire said, “We’re not interested in a conflict. We want a negotiated settlement”
The contract with CUPE Local 79 expired Dec. 31, 2011.
In February the city signed a four-year deal with its 6,000 outdoor workers’ union. In that down-to-the-wire-contract, the city negotiated major concessions from Local 416 along with a small wage hike, narrowly avoiding a work stoppage.
Most significantly, the union agreed that seniority rights around layoffs can’t begin until an employee has spent 15 years on the job.
The city is expected to go after similar concessions with its indoor workers. Macguire refused to elaborate on what specific concessions the city was seeking.
If the city did impose similar seniority changes, it would affect about 50 per percent of all indoor staff.
In an internal email to staff, city manager Joe Pennachetti said the city is working hard to avoid a labour disruption, but that a contingency plan has been prepared.
The city recently sought a “no board” report for its library union as well.
Original Article
Source: Star
Author: Robyn Doolittle
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