The picket line at the Toronto Zoo will stay there for the Victoria Day long weekend.
Talks aimed at settling the ongoing strike at the Toronto Zoo have broken down and no further talks are scheduled.
In a press release the Toronto Zoo said "despite its efforts to end the current disruption, the Union has, once again, rejected a reasonable compromise which was reached with the assistance of the provincially appointed mediator."
In a statement from CUPE local 1600, President Christine McKenzie said “It is incredibly frustrating and disappointing.” The statement goes on to read, "We have repeatedly asked the employer to provide a compelling rationale for why they are demanding changes to language that protects needed staffing levels. The Zoo has been unwilling or unable to provide any such rationale."
This is a right turn from news on Friday when the union said they were 95 percent of the way to a deal.
CUPE says workers won't back down on job security language in the contract because it protects the zoo's conservation and research programs.
About 400 zoo workers have been on strike since May 11.
The animals are being cared for by managers, some of whom are former zoo keepers.
With files from Heather Goode