The City of Toronto has said contingency plans are in place in the event of a work stoppage, and that essential services wouldn’t be affected. While it hasn’t disclosed those plans, that would mean managers would be replacing unionized staff in key roles.

The services deemed essential, meaning they wouldn’t be affected by a labour disruption, include the TTC, police and firefighters, as well as the city’s homes for the aged, public libraries and Toronto Community Housing. While paramedics are not considered essential, the city and unions have agreed to maintain ambulance services by having 85 per cent of paramedics on duty.

However, in the event of a strike or lockout, 5,735 outside city workers represented by CUPE Local 416 would be affected.

According to figures obtained from the city, the following workers by division would be affected:

1,761: Parks, Forestry & Recreation. Includes winter maintenance, building maintenance, the turf, grass, gardens, pools, arenas, ski centres, Toronto Islands Ferry services, city farms and zoos (including Centre Island’s Far Enough Farm, High Park Zoo and Riverdale Park).

1,157: Solid Waste Management Services. Includes garbage collectors, vehicle maintenance and people who work at transfer stations.

959: Emergency Medical Services. Includes paramedics, support staff and vehicle mechanics.

946: Toronto Water. Includes employees who work at water and wastewater plants.

484: Transportation Services. Includes street cleaning road maintenance.

134: Facilities Management. Includes custodial and building maintenance.

114: Fleet Services. Includes mechanics, vehicle repair people and thosee who look after transportation vehicles and park vehicles.

70: Municipal Licensing & Standards. Includes bylaw enforcement officers.

32: Long-Term Care Homes & Services. Includes custodial and building maintenance but not health workers.

22: Other. People on long-term disability.

12: Purchasing & Materials Management (warehouses with stores where city keeps all its supplies). Are general labourers.

12: Technical Services (division that works on major capital infrastructure projects). Includes road maintenance.

11: Economic Development & Culture. Some are custodial and building maintenance.

11: City Clerk’s Office. Some warehouse people.

3: Policy, Planning, Finance & Administration. Are building maintenance.

2: 311 Call Centre. Includes customer service representatives.

2: Shelter, Support & Housing Administration. Building maintenance.

2: Revenue Services. Are warehouse staff, or general labourers.

1: Real Estate Services. Leftover from when this division used to be part of Facilities Management.