Toronto child care centres, community centres won't operate in event of work stoppage: city

The city of Toronto spelled out Friday which services will continue to operateand which won'tin the event of a strike or lockout with its unionized workers

City Manager Peter Wallace spoke at a 1 p.m. news conference, saying the city is working toward a negotiated settlement with two CUPElocals, but cautioned a strike or lockout will have "significant impacts on the vital services of the city."

Wallace said so far talks have involved"tough bargaining" with the goal of reaching a negotiated settlement but said there"is a very real possibility we won't reach a deal."

He said services related to health and safety, including police, fire and paramedics, will continue to operate, while others will be put on hold.

Services that will not be affected include:

• Fire.
• Police.
• Paramedics.
• Long-term city-operated care homes.
• Waste water treatment.
• Transportation services (snow clearing, sanding).
• Ontario Works clients will continue to get their benefits.
• Toronto newcomer office will stay open for Syrian refugees.
• Out of the cold program.
• Emergency shelters.
• Toronto court services.

The following services will not operate in the event of a strike or lockout:

• Child care centres.
• Arenas and community centres.
• Waste collection east of Yonge Street.
• Building permits.

"We simply do not have the resources to continue these services," said Wallace. "We are prioritizinghealth and safety and vital public services."

Mayor John Tory has warned there's a"real chance" of a labour disruption involving 25,000 City of Toronto unionized inside and outside workers.

"We wish things were goingbetter at the bargaining table, the last couple of days have been reallychallenging and difficult," said Deputy MayorDenzil Minnan-Wong,Chair of the Employee and Labour Relations Committee.

"We're looking for more flexibility,they're looking for less flexibility," said Minnan-Wong of the union.

The city has been in talks to reacha new labour deal with the two CUPE locals.

The heads of both CUPE locals told reporters on Friday they put full proposals on the table two days ago and now are waiting for aresponse from the city.

They also said they believe it's too early to worry about a strike or lockout and they're concentrating on getting a deal, instead.

"Our focus is on a collective agreement, that's what we need to achieve here. We are not focused on a contingency plan at all and the city has to be focused on a collective agreement, as well," said Matt Alloway ofCUPE local 416.

"We're not focused on service disruption," says Tim Maguire, CUPE local 79 president.

Local 79represents inside workers, whileLocal 416represents outside employees.

Local 79 workers are in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 20, while Local 416 is in a strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 19.

The union has said its members want improved job security, with many workers holding permanent part-time positions.