Some progress made at bargaining talks, TTC union says
ATU Local 113 says workers 'will be moving forward with strike action' if no deal before midnight deadline
The union local that represents nearly 12,000 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) workers says some progress is being made at the bargaining table ahead of an impending strike by its members.
"ATU Local 113 continues negotiations with the TTC this evening," the union said in an update around 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
"Some progress has been made and ATU Local 113 will provide an update on any further progress as it occurs this evening. "
The TTC and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 have until midnight to broker a new deal and avoid a strike, which would disrupt travel plans for commuters both in and outside of Toronto. The transit system averages 1.3 million riders per weekday, according to the May data posted in the CEO's report.
The Toronto Transit Commission confirmed negotiations are ongoing and expressed optimism that a deal could be reached before the midnight deadline.
"We believe a deal that's fair and affordable is within reach and that job action can be avoided," the TTC said at 8 p.m.
Just hours earlier, the union warned in a previous statement that it had not seen any progress to address its main issues, including job security.
The union had said in its earlier statement that striking is not its preferred course of action, but it's necessary to protect the future of its members' families, pensioners and the integrity of Toronto's transit system.
"The TTC has left us with no other choice, as we still need to prioritize a new, fair agreement for our transit workers. ATU Local 113 will be moving forward with strike action tomorrow at 12:01 a.m.," the statement had said.
At a news conference earlier Thursday, Alfred said anything that has been achieved during talks up to that point "has strings attached and is not authentic." He pointed to little progress in wages, pensions and, most importantly, job security.
"We will be walking out at midnight," said Alfred. "We are ready to fight and we won't back down."
"You want to avert a strike? Then do something about it."
Despite the midnight deadline, the union and the TTC have said buses and streetcars will finish service around 2 a.m. Friday. Meanwhile, subway service will wind down between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. City officials have urged people to come up with a backup plan for getting around on Friday and beyond.
Wheel-Trans service for people with disabilities will continue to operate, both sides have confirmed.
ATU Local 113 represents about three quarters of the more than 16,000 staff at the transit agency. Union representatives have said other worker demands include benefits and better working conditions and workplace safety measures amid "record levels" of violence on buses and subways last year.
Different unions and advocates appeared at the news conference in support of ATU Local 113. Laura Walton, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, which represents over a million workers in the province, said it's in support of the workers doing what they need to do to "ensure jobs remain" with the union.
"When workers win, we all win," she said.
"The TTC belongs to the people of Toronto, and that we all need to remember."
Shelagh Pizey-Allen, the executive director of advocacy group TTCriders, said traffic will "grind to a halt" on Friday if there's a strike, making it hard for people to get to their jobs or health appointments.
"It is so outrageous that a deal has not been reached," she said.
While transit workers are "going to be blamed" if there's a strike, she said the real problem is decades of underfunding the transit system.
"This is about protecting TTC service and accountability for riders," she said.
TTC still 'optimistic,' paints different picture of talks
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said he thinks talks will "go right down to the wire" on Thursday evening.
"As of this afternoon, we're still at the table," Green said.
"We're working through some of the final points that have to be discussed. These are complex negotiations. There are a lot of issues in play. The union has obviously some things they want to accomplish. We have some things we want to work together with them to improve and so that work is ongoing," he said.
Green said he is still optimistic that a deal can be reached before the deadline because there is goodwill at the table.
"These things just take time. But we are optimistic that we can find that middle ground that achieves a fair agreement, one that's fair to our employees and respectful of the work that they do," he said.
Green urged riders, if they need to go out late Thursday evening into Friday morning, to keep an eye on the TTC website and social media channels and stay informed.
"If there is a job action that could happen anytime after midnight, and while the service will continue until the subways finish, there is a chance that if you need a return trip out of that, you may not get that trip. Keep an eye on that, plan ahead if you ... absolutely have to be out tonight."
Despite the union saying there hasn't been meaningful progress during negotiations, the TTC said in a statement on Thursday that ATU Local 113 employees are an "integral part" of its operations, and that it values the work its employees do. Green previously said a deal is possible as long as the parties remain at the bargaining table.
"We remain optimistic that with talks progressing well, we can reach a fair deal that avoids service interruptions and inconvenience for our customers," it said.
The contract talks comes at a moment when the City of Toronto's finances are strained.
A recent city report shows the city needs to find billions over the next decade to maintain its assets, which include the transit system and other public services. Mayor Olivia Chow said Thursday she's hoping a "give and take" spirit from both sides leads to a deal.
Request needed for back-to-work legislation: source
The union's collective agreement expired on March 31.
If a new deal isn't reached, the strike would be the first labour disruption by TTC workers since 2008. For years it had been declared an essential service, but that decision was quashed by Ontario's top court, which upheld the workers' right to strike last month.
An Ontario government source, who wasn't authorized to speak on the subject, told CBC News Thursday the province won't use the notwithstanding clause to force people back to work and will wait for a formal request from the City of Toronto before considering legislation.
Given the court's recent decision, the source said the province would have to meet a high legal threshold over a period of weeks to prove the strike harmed the economy and the public's safety to avoid getting it struck down.
The legislature rose for the summer on Thursday and isn't scheduled to be back until October.
"Don't expect us to be back next week," the source said, adding the province would probably wait weeks before introducing legislation.
Earlier this week, Premier Doug Ford didn't confirm if his government would force workers back. Despite this, he said he believes the TTC is an essential service and is hoping they don't strike, adding he isn't in favour of "anything that hurts the public."
Alfred said the possibility of the province legislating them back to work won't stop the union from striking.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but that's not going to dissuade us from doing the right thing ... if there's a fight coming, we'll be ready."
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With files from Lorenda Reddekop