Civic Workers Strike Enters Fifth Week

The fifth week of an ongoing strike by Toronto’s civic workers began with a bang – literally.

Over the weekend, flames engulfed a mountain of trash at a temporary dump site at the Clairlea Park Arena in Scarborough.

“I thought people were just throwing their garbage into the dump. Then the one big bang got me out of bed and all I saw was flames,” described a local resident named Joyce on Sunday.

She and her neighbours were jolted awake that morning by the sound of explosions – possibly from bursting garbage bags or bottles.

Meanwhile, Mayor David Miller appeared on Breakfast Television Monday to address concerns about the strike, suggesting there has been progress at the bargaining table.

“I should give union leadership and our management team credit for that. But from my perspective and as I’ve said all along, there never should have been a strike in the first place,” he said.

“They’re the ones who chose to go on strike.”

Back in 2006, the province ended similar job action after just 16 days. This time, Miller has not requested similar legislation.

“The reason [we haven’t asked the province to legislate them back to work] is that the city doesn’t do very well in arbitrations. If we had that kind of settlement [we had back in 2006] today, it would mean that next year we would have to have service cuts and probably lay-offs.”

Miller also said that Exhibition Place would not be used as a temporary dump site.

Counter-protests were also expected to continue Monday with a demonstration at Campbell Park.

A “Child and Youth Take Back the Park Day” was planned for the temporary dump site to let others know just how bad the problem has become.

The job action has lasted 29 days and it’s not only garbage collection that’s been affected. Ferry services, city-run day cares and summer camps, and swimming pools have been effectively shuttered for the summer.

The 24,000 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Locals 416 and 79 have been off the job since June 22.

Both unions have been talking with the City for the past six months to replace a contract that expired on December 31st. The main issue: employees want to keep 18 sick days a year which can be banked and cashed out at retirement. But the City wants to create short-term disability programs instead.

There are also conflicts over job security, scheduling and seniority rights.

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