Essential services like public transit and emergency services would not be affected in event of a strike or lockout in Toronto, but city-run childcare centres could be closed and east-end garbage collection would be put on hold.

The plan was announced a week after representatives revealed that the city's outdoor workers could strike as soon as Feb. 19, and its indoor workers can take action the following day. They could also be locked out by their employer on the same weekend.

The city is "actively bargaining" with the unions representing indoor and outdoor workers, but revealed the plans Friday in case deals have not been reached by the legal strike or lockout date.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 416 and 79 have been without a contract since the end of last year. In the most recent round of bargaining, the city offered salary increases to members of both unions, but rejected their benefits-related request.

Representatives of both unions have said previously that they are willing to continue negotiations beyond the labour disruption deadlines.

On Friday, the city revealed its plan in event of some kind of labour disruption, saying that a resolution is still possible but officials are preparing for the worst case as a precaution.

The following services would not be affected:

  • Toronto police
  • Fire services
  • Paramedics
  • Long-term care homes
  • TTC
  • Toronto Community Housing
  • Most Toronto Public Library branches
  • Water and sewage systems
  • Most winter road maintenance (plowing and salting)

Many services have been deemed essential, and will not be affected, but the city warned that residents would be affected in other areas.

All city-run childcare centres would be closed in the event of a strike or lockout, but the city would open a hotline to inform parents of other options during job action. Outdoor rinks would also be closed.

There would be no curbside garbage collection east of Yonge Street, but the city would set up garbage and organics disposal sites where residents would drop off their waste. Garbage collection is privatized west of Yonge, and would not be affected.

The city manager said non-unionized staff members have been assigned jobs and are being trained in event of a lockout or strike. The manager said 4,200 non-unionized members would have to cover for 28,000 that would be affected by a labour disruption.