TTC subway station supervisors vote to strike amid ongoing contract talks
Posted August 6, 2026 11:34 am.
TTC subway station supervisors have voted to give contract negotiators a strike mandate as union officials say talks for their first collective agreement have stalled.
According to a statement issued by CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 5585 on Wednesday, there are 115 station supervisors and 97 per cent of members who cast ballots voted in favour of a strike if a deal can’t be worked out.
“TTC management is trying to impose a contract that would make these jobs more challenging and less secure while failing to address workers’ safety concerns,” the statement said.
“Specifically, the TTC is attempting to introduce split shifts that would significantly disrupt members’ work-life balance, reduce sick-leave protections, eliminate or freeze shift premiums, and impose short- and long-term disability provisions that are inferior to those received by other unionized TTC employees.”
Subway station supervisors are responsible for overseeing station staff, conducting daily inspections and investigating train-related incidents. However, union officials said a growing focus of the job has involved responding to safety and security incidents. They noted that shift and the associated workplace safety concerns led workers to form a union in 2025.
“Their presence throughout stations and on trains is vital to observing and reporting incidents as they occur, making station supervisors an important set of eyes on the system and an essential link in the rapid identification and reporting of safety and security concerns,” the statement said.
In a brief statement to CityNews on Thursday, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the transit agency is “aware” of the strike vote.
“The TTC respects and values all of its employees, including the 120 station supervisors within this bargaining unit,” he wrote.
“With the assistance of a conciliator, we continue to bargain with CUPE to reach a fair first contract.”
News of the potential labour action came a few months after the TTC and the union representing hundreds of electrical workers reached a contract deal.
Meanwhile, union officials said they offered to resume talks as of Tuesday but are waiting to hear back from negotiators for the transit agency.
A potential timeframe for job action wasn’t immediately known.
