The Ontario government has appointed a senior labour mediator to help avoid a possible transit strike Monday morning that could paralyze the city and its 700,000 commuters.
A TTC street car passes in front of the Toronto skyline. City officials are worried about a strike that could start on Monday. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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Ontario Labour Minister Steve Peters appointed the mediator Sunday night at the request of Toronto Mayor David Miller.
While a strike on Monday is considered highly unlikely, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is bracing itself for a possible walkout or co-ordinated "sick-out."
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Bob Kinnear, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said he is not asking his 8,500 members for any sort of job action. But he said his union members are very angry that their complaints are being ignored.
He said transit workers have complained for months about driver security, health premiums, job evaluations and scheduling changes. Union members are particularly frustrated by the growing number of assaults against operators that usually start over fare disputes, Kinnear said.
There is also widespread dissatisfaction about scheduling, a dispute that could come to a head on Monday when TTC management plans to move more than half its janitors and track crews to permanent night shift, from days.
The TTC is worried that a dispute over night shifts could spark a protest that could escalate into work slowdowns or a wildcat strike.
"If something happens here, it could have a domino effect," said TTC general manager Rick Ducharme.
The threat of a work disruption is strong enough that Miller has stepped into the fray.
"The TTC is doing everything it needs to do to ensure the system will continue running and to deal with an illegal walkout should it happen," Miller said, adding that he would seek back-to-work legislation if necessary. "Employees are obliged to show up for work."
There are other ways to resolve work disputes, including union-management negotiations, and the grievance process, said the mayor.
If there’s an illegal work stoppage Monday, it would be the first at the TTC since 1989. There was a legal, two-day strike in 1999 and an eight-day strike in 1991 that ended with back-to-work legislation.
Passengers can contact TTC customer service at www.ttc.ca or 416-393-4636 for the latest updates on any work disruption.