Toronto city council officially put the threat of a work stoppage firmly in the past when it ratified deals with two groups of public employees on Monday.

Two voting blocks of CUPE Local 79 that rejected the city's original contract offer approved a new deal on Friday.

Council also voted to accept the deal on Monday, by a margin of 40-1, with only Coun. Paula Fletcher opposing it.

Mayor Rob Ford said on Monday that it was an "historic day for labour peace" in Toronto.

"We have been successful in negotiating that improved collective agreement," Ford said in a statement.

"Our front line workers understand that times are tough out there. Even though Toronto is stronger than many global cities, our economy is still very fragile. This is not the time to ask taxpayers to pay more."

Ford said the contract will save taxpayers about $50 million over the next four years.