2008 Toronto Transit Commission strike

General synopsis

The strike occurred when the two unions, ATU Local 113 and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2, voted 65% to reject the offer made on April 20, 2008. The result of the ratification vote was completed just after 10:00 p.m. on April 25 and Torontonians and TTC employees were given approximately 90 minutes' notice before the job action began.

The rejected offer had offered TTC operators a 3% wage increase each year for three years. Some operators and maintenance staff were not pleased with the offer. There were also concerns over the injury compensation package and, according to some reports, contracting out work. TTC employees voiced their concerns over the week prior to the strike.

Back-to-work legislation

On April 27, 2008, Bill 66 was unanimously passed by the Ontario Legislature, a process which only took 30 minutes. The law was quickly given royal assent by David Onley, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and it came into force at 2 p.m. The TTC was given a few hours to ensure the system was ready to operate and to build up service. Most transit service resumed by that evening.

Offer

• Term: three years, expiring March 31, 2011
• Wages: April 1, 2008 – 3%; April 1, 2009 – 3%; April 1, 2010 – 3%
• Vision Care: $300 every 2 years; plus $50 for exams
• Dental Care: major restorative, including implants up to $2,500
• Orthodontic: up to $4,000 (50% TTC coverage)
• Physio & Chiro: $1,000 max ($35 per visit)
• Long-term Disability: $2,550 max, per month

Source: TTC

References

References

1. (April 26, 2008). "Torontonians in shock after transit workers strike". CTV News Toronto.
2. "TTC Settlement Rejected by Union".
3. (April 26, 2008). "Toronto Transit Workers Strike Suddenly, Stranding Thousands". [[The New York Times]].
4. (April 26, 2008). "TTC workers on strike". [[Toronto Star]].
5. (April 25, 2008). "Workers Reject Deal. Strike on at Midnight".
6. Kalinowski, Tess. (April 26, 2008). "TTC strikes as deal falls apart".
7. (April 26, 2008). "Order in council signed". [[Toronto Star]].
8. (April 27, 2008). "TTC ordered back to work". [[Toronto Star]].
9. "TTC Strike 2008: Negotiated Settlement Details".