Elevator workers in GTA to return to work Monday
Posted June 17, 2013 6:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Striking elevator technicians who work on residential work sites in the GTA are expected to be back on the job, Monday.
On Friday, the Ontario Labour Relations Board said two local union branches must instruct members in the Greater Toronto Area and Barrie to follow work orders at apartment and condo buildings and residential construction sites.
The board cited a section of the Labour Relations Act that slaps a six-week limit on residential strikes in the two areas.
The board also ordered the International Union of Elevator Constructors not to picket outside construction sites once work starts up again.
Talks to end the strike have broken off, but the National Elevator Escalator Association — representing the four companies affected by the strike — is using a labour law enacted under former premier Mike Harris’ government to get some workers back on the job.
Patrick Moran, a spokesperson for the National Elevator Escalator Association, said he is happy to have the elevator and escalator workers back to work on Monday.
“That’s going to assist us in getting the residential construction going again,” Moran told 680News.
Workers who service elevators have been off the job since May 1.
Around 14,000 elevator and escalator technicians walked off the job, but only 800 of them are required to return to work under the consent order.
Striking union local 96, representing workers in Kingston, Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., was not affected by the ruling.
