Labour negotiations between the City of Toronto and the union representing inside workers were pushed closer to the breaking point Tuesday when union leaders charged the city with bargaining in bad faith after six concessions were added to the city's list of demands.

CUPE Local 79, which represents some 23,000 inside workers, claimed the city's decision to introduce six more demands late in the bargaining process was "completely outside the usual scope of our bargaining."

President Tim Maguire said Tuesday the union had laid a charge of bargaining in bad faith against the city at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

Details on the six new demands were not released Tuesday morning.

Maguire said the two sides would continue bargaining and that he hoped the charge would "inject some discipline" into the city's negotiating strategy.

CUPE Local 79 represents city nurses, janitors, child care workers and ambulance dispatchers, among others. Members have been working without a contract since Dec. 31. 2011.

Earlier this month, the province's Ministry of Labour issued a "no board report," placing a 17-day deadline on negotiations before work stoppage options can be considered.

The city can legally lock out unionized workers, and the union can legally strike, beginning March 24.

Sticking points in the negotiations include scheduling, pay and the rights of part-time workers.

Maguire said that the city is asking for cutbacks from employees working in long-term care homes. He said city negotiators are looking to cut five hours from the workweek, which would result in a seven per cent income reduction and a drop in quality of care.

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday, chair of the city's employee and labour relations committee, said Tuesday he was dismayed by the current state of negotiations.

"We have been at the bargaining table for the last four months and despite the City's best efforts we have been unable to get the union to understand that we are committed to achieving a reasonable agreement, one that is fair to the City, the taxpayers and our employees," Holyday said in a statement.

Holyday said the union has asked for 100 "enhancements" to the current collective agreement, including:

  • two times overtime pay for employees working on a designated holiday
  • a 15 per cent increase in shift bonuses
  • a $350 annual bonus for part-time employees who work on weekends
  • an agreement that the city not contract out work or services performed by Local 79.

Holyday claimed that union executives were "spoiling for a fight" with the city.

The city sent out a bargaining update Tuesday afternoon reiterating many of Holyday's issues with the union "enhancement" requests.

"The Local 79's proposals would either: (1) directly increase costs to the city or (2) create further/new operational and administrative inefficiencies," the update said.

The city has said contingency plans are ready in the event that a work stoppage occurs.