TTC workers could begin strike action next month

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The TTC may be grinding to a halt next month.

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On Tuesday, a conciliator with the province’s Ministry of Labour issued a no-board report which starts a 17-day countdown to a potential strike by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113.

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The TTC and union have been bargaining toward a new collective agreement since February. The last contract expired on March 31.

The earliest possible labour action could begin at midnight on June 7.

“This is the next legal step with respect to exercising our right to withdraw services,” Marvin Alfred, president of ATU Local 113, said in a statement. “We have already started mobilizing our members to prepare for this, should we need to take strike action in June.”

The union says its bargaining team is still at the negotiating table. Key issues include job security and wages.

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This is the first time in a decade that the union can exercise its right to strike following last year’s legal victory at the Ontario Superior Court. The court struck down provincial legislation enacted in 2011 that limited its right to collective bargaining as an ‘essential service.’

The last time the union went on strike was in 2008.

While the TTC has renewed agreements with three of six unions this year, CEO Rick Leary doesn’t want to rule out the potential for strike action by workers.

“Past experience tells us that if there is a labour disruption with ATU Local 113, there will be service impacts,” Leary said in a statement. “What exactly those impacts could be will depend on the extent and nature of the disruption and are not yet known.”

ATU Local 113 has yet to set a possible strike date if both sides cannot agree on a new contract by June 7.

The union represents approximately 11,500 operators, collectors, maintenance workers, station staff and other frontline employees.

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