Labour stalemate drags after city tenders ‘final offer’ to inside workers

TORONTO – City council approved a new collective agreement with its outside workers Monday, but talks with the 20,000-strong inside workers union remain at a impasse after the union dismissed what Mayor John Tory characterized as a “final offer.”

Tory told reporters Sunday morning the city made an offer to CUPE Local 79 Saturday night that addressed the union’s key demands — including job security — and included the same wage increase accepted by the outside-workers union last week.

However, talks fell apart over the weekend with both sides blaming the other.

Video gallery:

2:07 John Tory says city was angered after mediator dismissed in talks with CUPE Local 79

• John Tory says city was angered after mediator dismissed in talks with CUPE Local 79
• CUPE Local 79 official said that there was a ‘misunderstanding’ when negotiator was dismissed
• Stable jobs and more predictability are sticking points: CUPE 79 official

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Tory said CUPE negotiators dismissed the appointed mediator, while union President Tim Maguire disputes the story, saying he didn’t understand why Tory would make the claim.

The union is entering the second week of a work-to-rule campaign which began last Monday after several days of fruitless talks.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Tory said the city’s proposed offer was “broadly consistent” with the collective agreement accepted by the city’s outside workers two weeks ago, while still addressing many of Local 79’s “unique and specific concerns” including wage increases and greater job security.

“It leaves them with overall job conditions, overall conditions of employment that are among the best anybody has in the province of Ontario, private or public sector,” he said.