With less than 24 hours to go before a possible TTC strike which could shutter transit for millions of riders in Toronto, the chair of the TTC board says there is still no deal with the union which represents the workers.
“Teams from the TTC and ATU Local 113 have yet to come to an agreement, though I am encouraged both teams remain at the bargaining table to continue working towards a deal,” TTC Chair Jamaal Myers said in a statement Thursday morning. “The TTC is committed to securing a deal that avoids any job action that will be disruptive to the lives of millions of Torontonians.”
Myers said he nonetheless remains “confident” that a deal can still be reached.
Workers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 are scheduled to walk off the job Friday if no deal is reached. The union represents more than 11,000 frontline workers who operate the TTC. The workers have been without a deal since their last contract expired in March. Sticking points at the negotiation table have included, wages, benefits, and job security.
If a strike does move forward, it would be the first time that Toronto has seen a transit strike since 2008. Provincial legislation which designated the TTC an essential service was struck down by a judge last year, opening the door to strike action.
The province has said that it is following the strike closely, but has not said whether it would introduce back-to-work legislation if there is a strike.
Myers said that the union and the TTC have agreed that in the event of a strike, service would end at 2 a.m. Friday in order to allow workers a chance to get home. They have also agreed that WheelTrans service will continue even if there is a strike.
The union has set a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. Friday.