A strike or lockout deadline for the city’s indoor workers has been extended once again as contract talks continue with the City of Toronto.
The mayor’s office and CUPE Local 79, the union representing 21,000 of the city’s indoor workers, confirmed Saturday afternoon that the deadline has been extended to 12:01 a.m. Monday.
In a news conference Saturday afternoon, CUPE Local 79 President Tim Maguire said “the good news” is that talks are continuing, however, he would not say whether they are closer to a deal.
Maguire said the union is asking the city to “meet us halfway.” He added they are focused on a collective agreement, not timelines.
“If it takes us past another 12:01 (deadline), we’ll continue to work at it,” Maguire said.
This is the second time contract talks with the inside workers’ union have been extended. On Friday, the labour negotiation deadline was extended by 24 hours.
CUPE Local 79’s members include those employed at childcare centres and Toronto Community Housing.
On Friday, CUPE Local 416, which represents the city’s outdoor workers, reached a tentative deal with the city.
That deal will be presented to members for ratification. If members approve, it will then go before Toronto City Council. No details of the agreement have been released to the public.
Both unions have been without a contract since the end of 2015.
