The union of 11,500 drivers and other employees of the Toronto Transit Commission adopted a moderately more optimistic tone early in the evening as time runs out to reach an agreement in principle and to avoid a walkout tonight.
Some progress has been made
the union wrote on its website around 7:30 p.m., saying it will provide an update in the evening if there is further progress.
The tone of this brief message seemed more positive than earlier statements by ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred, who spoke more ofdead end
. “The CTT does not negotiate to reach an agreement. She is trying to push us to strike,” he declared.
Later in the evening, the union remained at the negotiating table and reported further progress.
A strike by CTT employees would force the closure of Toronto’s public transit system.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Chris Donovan
A strike would result in the suspension of public transport throughout the Queen City. The exception: the Wheel-Trans service, for people with reduced mobility, would be maintained.
Negotiations between the parties continue.
Around 9 p.m., the CTT was hopeful that an agreement would be reached and a strike avoided. Discussions are productive, professional and progressing
she wrote on X.
Toronto Public Transit (CTT) by the numbers
| Number of one-way trips per day | 2.5 million |
| Number of buses | 2114 |
| Number of electric buses | 60 |
| Number of metro trains | 143 |
| Number of trams | 206 |
| Number of kilometers of circuits | 6400 |
| Number of hours of service per week | 185,000 |
| Number of employees | 16,000 |
According to the union, the main points in dispute are job security, social benefits and salaries, but it refuses 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 both 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 the start of a potential walkout was moved to 2 a.m. rather than 12:01 a.m. Friday. Mr. Alfred specifies, however, that this measure is simply intended 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.
Special return to work law?
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow refuses to comment on the possibility of special back-to-work legislation in the event of a strike.
The Minister of Labor, David Piccini, also avoids the question. We sincerely hope that there will be an agreement
, he said. He adds that a mediator is available to help the parties.
However, according to a government Source, the province will wait for a formal request from the Queen City before intervening. Given the case law, the Ford government would have to demonstrate that there is a high risk to the province’s economy and to public safety if it wants its special law to withstand a possible legal challenge.
In other words, MPs would not be called back to Queen’s Park next week. The Ford government could wait several weeks before intervening, according to this Source, who adds that the province does not intend to use the notwithstanding provision of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
If there were 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 work 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 and Mathieu Simard
