The Toronto Transit Commission (CTT) wants to “push us into strike,” says the union of 11,500 drivers and public transit maintenance employees, who are threatening to walk out on Friday for lack of an agreement.
A strike would result in the suspension of public transport throughout the Queen City. The exception: service Wheel-Trans, for people with reduced mobility, which would be maintained.
In the meantime, negotiations continue between the parties.
However, the talks are in a dead end
says Marvin Alfred, president of section 113 of the United Transport Union (ATU).
There CTT does not negotiate to reach an agreement. They are trying to push us to strike.
Toronto Public Transit (CTT) by the numbers
| Number of one-way trips/day | 2.5 million |
| Number of buses | 2114 |
| Number of electric buses | 60 |
| Number of metro trains | 143 |
| Number of trams | 206 |
| Number of km of circuits | 6400 |
| Number of hours of service per week | 185,000 |
| Number of employees | 16,000 |
Our negotiating committee is frustrated
says Marvin Alfred, repeating that if nothing changes, there will be no public transport service
Friday. There CTT seeks to impose “conditions” on union members, he said.
According to the union, the main points in dispute are job security, social benefits and salaries, without wanting to specify the nature of the salary increases demanded.
There CTT more optimistic
Transportation Commission Chairman Jamaal Myers says he good hope
that the strike can be avoided. He notes that the CTT has already concluded an agreement with its trade workers, in particular.
It encourages me to see that the two teams are still at the negotiating table and continuing to work to reach an agreement.
Will rental bikes be popular during the strike?
Photo: Radio-Canada
In a written statement, he added that the deadline for a possible walkout was postponed to 2 a.m. rather than 12:01 a.m. Friday. Mr. Alfred specifies, however, that the measure simply aims to allow users already on board to return home.
We are Canadians, we like to get along
supports Mayor Olivia Chow.
There CTT is vital for many people. I hope there will be a negotiated agreement.
She refuses to comment on the possibility of a special return to work law in the event of a strike.
Labor Minister David Piccini also refuses to discuss a possible special law. We sincerely hope that there will be an agreement
, he said. He adds that a mediator is available to help the parties.
If there is a walkout on Friday, it would be the first strike at the CTT since 2008.
Public transit in Toronto was designated an essential service in 2011, but the Ontario Superior Court declared the law unconstitutional in 2023. The Court of Appeal upheld that decision in May.
The reaction of users
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Joël Gauthier is frustrated by the risk of a strike.
Photo: Radio-Canada
User Joël Gauthier plans to use his car if there is a strike on Friday.
It sucks!
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Marie-Aude Fadairo says a walkout would disrupt her daily routine, but she adds that the right to strike must be protected.
Photo: Radio-Canada
It would make my life complicated
, says mother Marie-Aude Fadairo. But she adds this: I support the right to strike.
The user group TTCriders Urges Toronto Transit Commission CEO Rick Leary, Mayor Chow and Councilor Myers to intervene.
It is scandalous to see that the CTT has still not reached an agreement to avoid the strike.
Many users say they will try to take a taxi or use carpooling to get to the office if they cannot telework on Friday, in the event of a walkout.
However, for many users, public transport is the “only option”, underlines TTCriders.
With information provided by Jérémie Bergeron
