TORONTO The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1600 and the Toronto Zoo agreed to extend a lockout deadline by seven days following a long day of bargaining. Talks ended just before midnight last night.
The parties have agreed to resume negotiations next Sunday, May 2. If they fail to reach an agreement by 12:01 a.m., Monday, May 2, zoo employees could be locked out and the zoo shut down.
The current contract expired on March 31, 2005. CUPE Local 1600 represents approximately 170 permanent employees and 200 seasonal and casual workers at the zoo, many of whom earn wages as low as $9 an hour.
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For further information, please contact:
Jim Fudge, 416-579-2873
Rick Alexander, Staff representative, 416-561-4609
Shannon McManus, CUPE Communications, 416-455-8247