Toronto Mayor John Tory and CUPE Local 416 President Eddie Mariconda both spoke to reporters Saturday about the new tentative deal between the city and its outside workers union, saying it's one both sides can bet behind.
While details aren't being shared until the union's 5,000 members and city council vote on it, both sides are confident it'll get done.
"It's always good to avoid a work stoppage and the key is can you do it in a way that is fair to the workers and in a way that is fair to the residents," Tory said. "We've done that in this case."
Both sides issued a joint statement about 30 minutes before their bargaining deadline
While Tory took questions, Mariconda decided to only read a statement about the agreement, saying he was confident his members would sign off on it.
"This is a good deal for our members and for the residents of Toronto," he said, both also thanking mediator William Kaplan, who assisted in negotiations the last three days.
Some of the outstanding issues had been around sick days, benefits and the union's goal of potentially bringing back the Jobs for Life provision, which the city had been clear they wouldn't consider.
Earlier this week, the city and union agreed to extend a negotiation deadline by 48 hours and to work with Kaplan to get them closer to a deal.
The 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. today.