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The unions representing more than 24,000 municipal workers have reached tentative agreements with the city of Toronto, bringing the strike that started June 22 closer to an end.

I’m so proud of my members for holding the line, standing up for their rights and giving their bargaining committee the ability to fight back all the concessions the city sought from us,” said Mark Ferguson, president of Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 CUPE, representing about 6,200 outside workers.

 

I want to thank the strike committee, the picket captains and the bargaining committee for their hard work in achieving this settlement,” said CUPE Local 79 President Ann Dembinski, representing more than 18,000 inside workers covered by four collective agreements. “I would also like to thank Toronto residents for their patience and understanding. Our members are anxious to get back to work, providing the quality services Torontonians rely on.”

 

The locals attributed their success in large part to the coordination that began when both entered negotiations at the beginning of the year. Both locals plan to hold ratification votes on Wednesday. Picket lines will remain in place until the agreements are ratified.

 

Statement by Ann Dembinski, CUPE 79 president

July 27, 2009

I am pleased to announce that CUPE Local 79 has now reached tentative agreements with the City of Toronto covering our full-time collective agreement, Unit B part-time employees, part-time recreation workers and Homes for the Aged staff.

I want to thank the Strike Committee, the picket captains and the Bargaining Committee for their hard work in achieving this settlement. I also want to thank Local 416, representing outside workers, for coordinating their efforts with ours.

We are now getting ready for ratification votes, and that should take place Wednesday. Picket lines will remain in place until our agreement has been ratified.

Until our members have seen the contents of the agreement, we will not be commenting on the details.

I want to thank all Local 79 members for their strength and solidarity, which helped us achieve a better settlement at the bargaining table.

I would also like to thank Toronto residents for their patience and understanding.

Our members are anxious to get back to work, providing the quality services Torontonians rely on.