CUPE Local 79, representing 30,000 City workers, has officially requested a No Board Report in its ongoing negotiations with the City of Toronto, moving closer to a potential strike or lockout deadline.
Despite months of bargaining, the City has refused to engage in meaningful negotiations, forcing frontline municipal workers to take a stand.
“City workers have had enough,” says Local 79 President Nas Yadollahi. “After years of being overworked, understaffed, and underpaid, we refuse to accept a deal that keeps us falling further behind. We are prepared to stand up for what we deserve, and we won’t back down.”
Last month, over 90% of City workers voted in favour of a strike mandate, in a historic turnout.
Toronto’s municipal workers have endured years of stagnating wages amid rising inflation. CUPE Local 79 members are demanding fair wages, an end to mismanagement, an end to the City being a minimum wage employer and an end to the many staffing crises facing divisions across the City. After months of negotiations, the City has yet to propose solutions to the following:
- Vacancies across the City have ballooned by 65% since the pandemic, with roughly 1400 positions unfilled.
- The staffing crisis in Long-Term Care is at a level never before seen. Currently there are over 500 vacancies, a 700% increase from pre-pandemic levels.
- Turnover rate for call takers and dispatchers at the Central Ambulance Communications Centre more than tripled over the last 5 years. Resignations accounted for 47% (55 of 117) of the call takers’ and dispatchers’ departures for the last five years.
- Recreation programs are the most used service by City residents, yet they are largely operated by low wage workers. Out of 12,000 part-time staff, only 69 received health benefits through the City.
Recent polling indicates that Torontonians overwhelmingly support better wages for City workers. Key findings include:
- 60% of respondents believe all City of Toronto workers should earn above minimum wage to reflect the high cost of living.
- 62% of those who responded report having used a City of Toronto recreation program, park, wading pad or pool in the past two years. Most workers who work in these programs make minimum wage.
- 75% agree that the City should respond to staffing shortages by offering competitive wages.
- 73% believe Mayor Olivia Chow and City Council must prioritize reaching a fair agreement with CUPE Local 79.
“This fight is about fairness,” says Yadollahi. “Torontonians support a fair deal for City workers because they know our work is essential and that the cost of living in our city is very high. The City needs to listen—not just to us, but to the people who rely on our services every day.”
Toronto residents rely on the critical services provided by CUPE Local 79 members, and their support underscores the need for fair treatment and wages.
What a No Board Report means
A No Board Report from the Ministry of Labour signals that negotiations have reached an impasse. Once issued—typically within five days — CUPE Local 79 will be in a legal strike or lockout position 17 days later.
CUPE Local 79 represents 30,000 workers at the City of Toronto, delivering a wide range of services, including: public health, planning, City Hall operations, employment & social services, cleaning, court services, ambulance dispatch, child care, 311, recreation programming, shelters, water & food inspection, and long-term care.
