Toronto City and CUPE Local 79 Strike Tentative Deal

In a significant development for the City of Toronto, officials announced that a tentative four-year agreement has been reached between the City and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79. This union represents around 27,000 inside workers who play essential roles in the city’s operations.

City employees covered by this agreement include personal support workers, nurses dedicated to caring for vulnerable seniors, child care workers nurturing the youngest residents, and recreation staff providing programming for thousands. Their efforts are crucial in maintaining the quality of life in Toronto and ensuring the city runs smoothly.

While the details of this tentative agreement remain under wraps for now, they will be reviewed by union members and Toronto City Council before final ratification. The confidentiality adheres to standard protocol during negotiations, allowing for a thorough review process.

In a related event, Mayor Olivia Chow and City Manager Paul Johnson are scheduled to hold a media availability session on Saturday, March 8, at 1:45 a.m. This will take place in the Members’ Lounge at Toronto City Hall. They will provide further updates on the state of collective bargaining with CUPE Local 79, offering insight into the agreement and its implications for city services.

Mark your calendars: For those unable to attend, a livestream of the media briefing will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

In statements regarding the agreement, Mayor Olivia Chow shared her appreciation: 'City workers serve hundreds of thousands of Torontonians daily and help build a caring city. I am immensely grateful to the hard work of both the union and the City in reaching an agreement that recognizes and respects the work of the members of CUPE Local 79.'

City Manager Paul Johnson echoed these sentiments, stating, 'Reaching an agreement with CUPE Local 79 is a testament to the commitment, collaboration, and professionalism of everyone involved. Thanks to everyone for their efforts in ensuring the agreement invests in the important work of City employees.'

This agreement is poised to enhance the support offered to City workers and, ultimately, the services provided to residents. Stay tuned for more details as the ratification process unfolds!