City of Toronto, workers' union reach 11th-hour tentative agreement

Toronto City Hall is seen illuminated at night in downtown Toronto on Friday, February 10, 2023. The City of Toronto and a union representing thousands of municipal workers say they have reached a tentative agreement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

 AMA

TORONTO - The City of Toronto and CUPE Local 79, which represents thousands of municipal workers, say they have reached a tentative agreement.

The deal came just before the 12:01 a.m. Saturday deadline for a strike or lockout, which would have caused the shutdown of city-run child-care and recreation centres.

The union says in a press release that it secured wage increases and an end to minimum-wage jobs for the duration of the agreement, should it be ratified.

Earlier this week, the city tabled what it described as a final offer to the union, which included a 14.65 per cent wage increase for all positions.

Union leadership said at the time it was preparing a counter-proposal and workers planned to strike starting on Monday if a deal couldn't be reached.

A city statement says details of the agreement will stay confidential until union members and city council review and ratify it. 

This report by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was first published March 8, 2025.

Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version said the city's final offer included a 14.95 per cent wage increase for all positions. In fact, it was 14.65 per cent.

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