The City of Toronto and outside workers represented by CUPE Local 416 have reached an eleventh hour deal to avoid a potential labour stoppage.
In a joint statement released some 30 minutes before their bargaining deadline, the city and union call the five-year tentative agreement fair to both workers and Toronto residents. Specifics of that agreement are not being shared until CUPE members and Toronto councillors see and sign off on it. Votes are planned for next week.
CP24
5,000 employees including garbage collectors, parks staff as public health nurses would have been in a legal strike position had a deal not been reached by 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Earlier this week, the city and union agreed to extend a negotiation deadline by 48 hours and to work with a mediator to get them closer to a deal. Some of the thorny issues included job security, sick leave and health benefits.
Mayor John Tory will address the deal at City Hall Saturday morning.