The head of the union that represents City of Toronto inside workers says they sought a “no-board” report because city management was entrenched in its bargaining position and insisted on making cuts.

The no-board report was granted to CUPE Local 79 on Thursday night, meaning bargaining sessions between the union and the city will involve a neutral mediator until Feb. 20, after which the union could begin job action.

“We were concerned that the city wasn’t negotiating,” Local 79 Tim Maguire said. “The City is asking for deep concessions.”

Maguire said the union is seeking to work with the city to find more predictability and stability for employees who are on contract.

“A lot of our full-time workers have worked temporary for a long period of time. Just over half of our members are full-time temporary or part-time.”

Maguire said the union is open to finding efficiencies and other solutions to enable more workers to have more stable work arrangements.

“We don’t think the stability issue would cost a lot for the city,” Maguire said.

But he added that the union does not wish to make concessions in this round of bargaining.

CUPE Local 79 represents 20,000 workers with the city.

The City of Toronto received a no-board report regarding its outside workers on Thursday, meaning it could begin job action on Feb. 19.