Outside workers strike/lockout FAQ

With the possibility of a strike or lockout looming, here’s a list of some things you need to know if there is a labour disruption involving CUPE Local 416 workers.

When is the deadline for a contract deal?

The deadline for the city and union to come to terms is technically 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, February 5, but that does not mean negotiations will necessarily stop at this time. What this deadline literally means is that when the deadline passes the union will be in a legal position to strike and the city will be in a legal position to lock out workers.

Will there be a strike or lockout should the deadline pass without a deal?

Not necessarily. The city has stated that if the deadline passes workers will return to work under the terms of the city’s latest offer. Should the union decide to fight back with a strike vote, it would likely take at least several days to get organized. Should the city decide to initiate a lockout or attempt to layoff any workers, this process will likely take some time as well.

What services will be impacted in the case of a strike or lockout?

CUPE Local 416 represents outside city workers so public services such as garbage collection, snow clearing, road maintenance, ferry service, tree maintenance, park services, paramedics, pools and ice rinks all run the risk of being affected. Inside workers in libraries, city offices, building inspectors, public health officials and the like will not be directly affected by the strike.

If Toronto’s EMS is on strike what happens if there is an emergency?

During a strike, by law, EMS workers must operate at 85 per cent staffing levels. Because of this there may be some delays in service.

Will I be able to get to the Toronto Island Airport?

Ferry service will continue to run to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. As well, ferry service will run to Ward’s Island for residents only. The ferry to Centre Island is closed for the winter.

What about my recreational hockey league?

Some of the city’s ice rinks are run by community boards and should not be affected by the strike, such as George Bell, Larry Grossman Forest Hill Memorial, McCormick Playground, Moss Park, North Toronto Memorial, Ted Reeve, William H. Bolton, Lakeshore Lions and Weston Lions.

Ford has indicated that he wants to keep the city run rinks open during the strike but there has been no word on how that will happen.

Will my local swimming pool be closed?

A strike would mean many of the pools in the GTA, including some in schools, will be shut down.

Will city parks be used as garbage dumps again?

There has been no word on if sections of parks will be used for garbage collection during the strike.

Much like during the strike in 2009, it is expected that residential and commercial curbside trash, green bin and recycling collection will be cancelled.  The only area not included in that would be Etobicoke, where collection is now handled by a private contractor.

What exactly does a strike/lockout mean?

For the precise legal explanation of what a strike and lock out mean, go to http://www.labour.gov.on.ca.

What will happen if there is a big snow storm while the strike is on?

If the city is hit with snow there should be only minor delays, as about 75 per cent of the city’s snow clearing is handled through contract workers. However, many of the lots where the snow equipment is stored are run by CUPE Local 416 workers, meaning service could again, be affected.

When will I know more about the city’s contingency plan or if a disruption is indeed coming?

Due to the complexity of the issue and with both sides saying they hope to avoid any disruption, it’s unlikely we’ll know much until at least early next week. As things stand (should a deal not be reached) it appears outside work will continue as usual until either the city or union makes their next move.