Strike cancels council meeting

Toronto labour unrest postpones city policy decisions

By Kris Scheuer
Garbage isn’t the only thing piling up during the strike.
Most official city business has come to a halt, including council’s regularly scheduled July 6–7 meeting which was cancelled July 2.
“The typical council meeting often considers over 100 items over a period of day,” stated a press release. “A regular council meeting is normally supported by unionized staff, who provide services to operate the facility.”
Also, non-unionized staff such as senior managers are required to be present to answer questions posed at council, but they are being redeployed to maintain critical services the statement concluded.

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Toronto strike drags on

By Kris Scheuer

The city could be in for the long haul when it comes to the garbage strike. So says city manager Joseph Pennachetti at a press conference this afternoon. “I wish I had a crystal ball,” Pennachetti said around 2:30 p.m. June 30. “I still say we literally have no idea when this strike will end.” He stressed that the city remains ready to meet 24 hours with the Canadian Union of Public Employees CUPE Local 79 and Toronto Civic Employees’ Union CUPE Local 416. The city and unions continue to negotiate on a settlement, he said on day nine of the strike, but at 3 p.m. there had been no formal talks June 30 and nothing was currently scheduled for Canada Day July 1. During the strike, which started at midnight June 22, a number of city services have been suspended. This includes the cancellation of city run parks and recreation programs, community centres, camps, daycares, garbage collection, water testing at beaches, park permits and Canada Day events. For a full list of affected city services click here. (I wrote this June 30 and it was originally posted at www.mytowncrier.ca)