Outside workers ratify collective agreement

Toronto’s outside workers voted to ratify their new contract agreement with the city on Monday.

CUPE Local 416 is the union that represents the city’s nearly 6,000 outside workers, including garbage collectors, road and parks employees, animal control officers and paramedics, and it had recommended that members approve the deal.

“Some very tough choices took place in this round of bargaining, but we were able to reach a settlement that in many respects is historic in nature,” said CUPE Local 416 president Mark Ferguson.

“We are pleased we have a ratified collective agreement for the next four years.”

The voting took place at the Ontario Federation of Labour building on Gervais Drive, near Don Mills and Eglinton.

“It’s not bad. We thought it would be a lot worse,” said CUPE Local 416 member George.

“It’s all right. I’ve seen better and I’ve seen worse…I’ll take it,” said CUPE Local 416 member Dale.

Mayor Rob Ford expressed his happiness over the ratification.

“It’s great news for taxpayers and it’s great news for the unions,” Ford said. “I look forward to bringing it before city council at a special meeting on Wednesday.”

While he wouldn’t divulge exact figures, Ferguson said a “large majority” of the more than 3,400 votes cast were in favour of ratification.

In the new deal, employees will get a six per cent raise over four years, beginning in 2013.

Job security from contracting out will only apply to employees with 15 years of service. Under the previous agreement, all employees were covered.

Meanwhile, Ferguson says paramedics, many of whom expressed frustration during negotiations, were given essential service designation.

“Paramedics have essential service designation. They can be proud to continue to provide great services 365 days a year and also in the time of labour disruption. In exchange for that, the city did agree to final and fair binding arbitration process to resolve any outstanding issues…we think that’s a good deal,” said Ferguson.

Paramedics have not been made an essential service at the provincial level.

The essential service designation means that paramedics have agreed to give up the right to strike under the terms of the city contract. If there’s a lockout or a walkout, the issues will go to arbitration – but paramedics will remain on the job.
 
“For a paramedic to want to work here, they’ve got to have some incentive, and the city is basically taking away any incentive for a paramedic to want to work here,” said Roberta Scott of the Ontario Paramedic Association.

“A little too angry right now to say anything that will make the air,” said one EMS employee during voting Monday.

Negotiations between the city and CUPE Local 79, which represents Toronto’s indoor workers, are ongoing.

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