Toronto Civic Workers Strike Enters Second Month
Sick Days Still An Issue, Province Unwilling to Step In
Jul 22, 2009
Employees on strike are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) locals 416, and 79. In total, 30,000 people are involved in job action including 6000 essential workers who aren’t allowed to strike. Among the issues are the ability to bank sick days and a wage increase.
Banking Sick Days Still An Issue, City Sets Up Temporary drop-off points.
CUPE wants the same raise given to the city's non-unionized workers. Mayor David Miller argues that’s not possible given the current economic climate. The police got a 12% raise via arbitration, and in comments published by the CBC.ca Miller says there isn’t money for that: “There’s not money there.”
The city has set up 20 temporary dumpsites in parks and seven permanent drop off stations throughout the city.
CUPE admits the sick days are still an issue. Under the current agreement workers have 18 sick days a year, and are allowed to bank 6 of them. In remarks published on CBC.CA, local 416’s leader Mark Ferguson admitted that even if it were taken off the table workers would still be on the picket lines: “Sick days are still an issue, very much alive and at the table- but I can say with 100% certainty that even if that issue were cleared off the table, that we would still be on strike.”
Plans for more drop-off sites are in the works, including a proposed one on the grounds at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition).
Smitherman, Tory Pick Up Trash, Both Deny Interest In Mayor’s Office
Since the strike began, Toronto residents have wanted the province’s involvement. Deputy Premier George Smitherman has listened, picking up garbage himself and setting up a website onetoronto.ca to help deal with “trash hotspots.” “It’s just great to see so many people helping out,” he told the Toronto Sun.
It is widely rumoured Smitherman plans to run for mayor in Toronto’s next municipal election. Smitherman denies he’s using the strike as an opportunity for politicking. Instead in comments published by CTV.CA he says he’s doing it out of love for the city: “First, and foremost I’m a citizen of Toronto, and I had the opportunity to ask citizens to lend a hand, and people have been so willing.”
Former Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory is also rumoured to be running for Mayor. He was recently sighted picking up trash along the Danforth. He also denies he’s considering running for Mayor, telling the Toronto Sun he’s grateful for people’s support: “It would only be encouraging to have people say they want to vote for you for mayor, if you were running, which, I’m not.”
The Premier has so far refused to pass back-to-work legislation ending the job action. He’d have to call the legislature back from summer recess. After such legislation is passed, the issue would enter binding arbitration.
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