Dear Local 79 Sisters and Brothers:    

Effective January 1, 2015, all Local 79 members working for the City of Toronto, will receive an increase of 2.25% on gross regular pay. This was negotiated with the City in 2012 as part of the current Collective Agreements, with the exception of members in Long-Term Care Homes and Services Part-Time Unit whose Collective Agreement was completed by an Arbitration Award issued in July 2013.

ELECTION:

Now that the municipal election is over, it’s time to move forward.

Congratulatory messages have already been sent to the Mayor-elect as well as to the new and incumbent City Councillors.

John Tory has said that he wants to bring people together and move Toronto forward. We particularly welcome his commitment to replace the divisiveness and anger that has come to dominate decision-making at City Hall with inclusiveness and civility. Local 79 will make every effort to impress upon the new Mayor the importance of supporting public services as a way of achieving his promise to be a consensus builder. Local 79 will keep on advocating for the services you provide, as the new Mayor and Councillors set their agenda for the next four years. With the City Budget process soon to begin, we’ll be watching this new administration closely. We must be cautious as John Tory has spoken publicly about contracting-out.

We will also continue to expand our member engagement, consulting with you, as we protect valued public services.

Finally, I want to thank all the Local 79 members who worked on various campaigns as well as in the phone banks at the Local 79 office. Our members gave their time generously, and our involvement in the campaigns was seen in a very positive light by the communities participating at the local level. I have received nothing but appreciation for all the efforts made by Local 79 in the Municipal Election.

ISSUES:
The City of Toronto Budget deliberations will begin soon and I will keep you informed of the schedule of Budget meetings as soon as the new Council announces the dates. We will be asking for your support and involvement in the Budget process where necessary.

The street sweeper fiasco that Torontonians learned of last month was predictable and a perfect example of why contracting-out does not give Torontonians the same quality of service that they depend on. The City of Toronto cutbacks and outsourcing are resulting in state-of-the-art street sweepers being unable to perform, instead spewing dirt and debris into the air. Local 79, in fact, warned the Councillors who voted to outsource the city’s spare parts and servicing operations two years ago, that it was a bad idea. Local 79 is now calling on the City to review this contract and examine whether Toronto residents are getting the same value for their tax dollars.

EVENTS and CELEBRATIONS:

December 6^th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on December 10. (For additional information, please visit our website at www.cupelocal79.org)

KUDOS AND AWARDS:

Congratulations to Ratha Mano this year’s winner of the Rudy Draxl Memorial Scholarship, and, Aidan O’Brien this year’s winner of the Stan Dalton Memorial Scholarship. These awards, worth $500.00 each, are awarded on the basis of a written essay submitted by the applicants. Congratulations also to the proud families of the winners!

P.S. Remember, if you sign up to receive only the electronic version of the President’s Report, you’ll be entered in a draw every time it’s published! Just log on to the Members’ Portal, go to Update Email, and select Electronic Mail Only.

We work hard at Local 79 to get our members special offers and savings from different businesses in Toronto. Please visit the Members’ Portal on the Local 79 website to find out the latest information on companies that want Local 79 members as customers, and are offering us discounts as an incentive.

In Solidarity,

Tim Maguire
President