“We Think People Deserve to Survive in the City They Serve”

Toronto City Hall may be in for a rude awakening soon. On Tuesday, 90% of the city's 30,000 workers voted in favour of going on strike. These city employees are responsible for providing a variety of services including public health, city hall operations, ambulance dispatch, child care, and long term care.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 79 - the city's largest union local - is representing the workers at the bargaining table. The president of Local 79, Nas Yadollahi, has stated clearly that "wages is going to be our biggest point". The current union contract expired December 31st, 2024 and the last round of bargaining happened on January 11th. 

The union states "we think people deserve to survive in the city they serve", calling for City Hall to keep up with inflation and to provide for its workers.

Currently, 43% of part-time recreation workers represented by the union are on minimum wage and 94% of part-time workers are paid less than $26/hour - the minimum livable wage in Toronto.

Although inflation has skyrocketed, city wages have remained stagnant and thousands of city workers are living below the poverty line. 

On top of livable wages, city workers are fighting for sick days, paid time off, and improved benefits. Part-time workers are only afforded limited benefits, and no sick leave or paid time off. 

While workers are fighting for sick leave and benefits, the city is currently considering a 3.9% increase to the Toronto Police budget - a staggering $46.2 million dollar increase.

“Our members ensure our drinking water is safe, support our city’s most vulnerable residents, and keep our communities livable,” says Yadollahi. Since the last contract, 4 out of 5 union members say that their quality of life has diminished.

Although there is no strike deadline yet, the bargaining has resumed since Thursday, January 23rd.