Nearly 1,200 Brampton workers are on strike as of Thursday morning, affecting a range of services in the city from recreation to transit.
The workers, represented by CUPE Local 831, have been in negotiations to reach a new contract with the city for months, but have yet to reach a fair deal that union members agree on. A lack of pay increases is cited as a reason for the labour disruption, with striking workers carrying signs reading “why is there always money for management but not for workers?”
“We have been at the bargaining table working towards a fair and comparable deal similar to what other Brampton staff have achieved for our members, for close to 9 months with no success,” President of CUPE 831 Fabio Gazzola said in an online statement on Nov. 4.
“CUPE 831 members provide essential services to Brampton. Our goal is to reach an agreement that avoids any disruption to these vital services.”
CUPE 831 represents workers responsible for road maintenance, animal control, courthouse services, building inspections and permits, enforcement, transit, and some city hall services, among other workers in the City of Brampton.
“CUPE 831 members are part of the community and take pride in maintaining Brampton’s public spaces and infrastructure,” Gazzola said. “We are seeking a fair deal that addresses the needs of our members, including protection of precarious and seasonal workers, and keeping our public services public. CUPE 831 is not here to fund non-union staff through cuts to the workforce.
There are a number of service impacts and closures due to the disruption. Transit services are impacted, and riders are encouraged to make alternate travel plans. Some recreation centres remain open but are operating at reduced hours, while others may be closed. Enforcement and y-law services are operating with reduced services, and responses for safety-related complaints will be prioritized.
Thursday afternoon, Brampton transit said it is ”significantly impacted by the labour dispute activity” and is asking riders to make alternative arrangements.
Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown also spoke on CUPE’s strike on X, saying Brampton residents deserve better amid disruptions to essential city services like transit.
The City of Brampton says it has been in active negotiations with the union, and is dedicated to reaching a deal that’s beneficial for both its workers and residents.
“The City remains committed to negotiating a fair, multi-year agreement that acknowledges the contributions of its CUPE 831 employees while ensuring fiscal responsibility for Brampton’s residents and aligning with other CUPE agreements in the Greater Toronto Area,” it said in a statement on its website Thursday.
See the latest on what’s open and closed in Brampton here.
