Thousands of TTC workers could go on strike next month, marking the first time in 10 years that staff could hit the picket lines.
On Tuesday, the Ontario Ministry of Labour issued a no-board report to the union representing the workforce. This means approximately 12,000 transit employees under the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 are able to legally strike as of June 7.
According to a release, the union says they have been without a contract since April 1.
“The union’s bargaining team is still at the negotiating table hoping to align on key issues related to job security and wages with TTC management,” the release read.
“This is the next legal step with respect to exercising our right to withdraw services. We have already started mobilizing our members to prepare for this, should we need to take strike action in June,” ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred said in a statement.
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The union’s collective agreement expired on Mar. 31, 2024. The union’s last agreement was issued in 2021.
TTC Chair and Councillor Jamaal Myers says he believes the TTC and ATU Local 113 can reach a deal as long as they continue to negotiate and avoid any job action measures.
“Teams from the TTC and ATU Local 113 have worked alongside a conciliator to assist in the labour negotiations; however, both parties have yet to come to an agreement. As a result, earlier today, the Ministry of Labour issued a No Board Report,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I am confident that a fair deal can be reached, just as the TTC has done with IAMAW Lodge 235, CUPE Local 5089, and CUPE Local 2. As TTC Board Chair, I continue to receive regular updates on the negotiations,” he continued.
If no deal is reached, the union will proceed with strike action, marking the first time in 10 years that the union will exercise their right to strike. This comes following last year’s court ruling which restored TTC workers’ constitutional right to strike. The last time union members went on strike was in 2008.
