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June 26, 2009 at 9:45:59 AM
Candy
I believe that the Premier should impose a two week deadline for both sides to come up with an agreement or be legislated back. They won't do anything constructive until an ultimatum is given. Too many people are affected and the health issues grow daily. It's time to deal with it seriously.

June 26, 2009 at 10:26:43 AM
Lifeguard
As a city worker I personally do not support the vote. I am a university student and I need the money for school and the strike is not helping what so ever. I am on the picket line for the money which is $200.00 a week if you do all the hours required. Im not sure if people heard about the 90% support for the union to go on strike or not but I was over hearing other people that were part of the union and they said that only 2000 members of the union voted and of the 2000 - 90% agreed to go on strike. I speak to my co-workers that are lifeguards which is part of parks and rec NONE of us wanted the strike so its not only screwing over citizens of Toronto but the employees as well.
End of message.

June 27, 2009 at 12:29:39 AM
Cindy Brownlee
I have family in both unions on strike and neither of them wanted to do this. The pay is a joke and the workers lose their benefits. My crippled Aunt is without her nurse as she cannot afford to pay her without the city benefits. The city made these contracts and now expect that they can strip them away at a moments notice. The union is afraid of getting losing it all and the city wont budge. That STINKS for the citizens of Toronto what do we do when two children can't get along? SEND IN A MEDIATOR! PS exactly how are we to drop of garbage if we don't have a car???

June 27, 2009 at 12:26:07 PM
tom
the garbage i can handle (although the tv news stories about garbage in the streets are certainly driving away the tourists), but what about the camps that are just "cancelled"?!?!

my child was supposed to be in a city-run day camp for the whole month of july, and now i have to take time off work to babysit.

there are thousands of children and parents in the same situation, so why don't you do news stories about them - about the kids who will lose their summer vacations, and about the loss of productivity in general?

June 27, 2009 at 4:35:13 PM
Lance
Now they are basically canceling Canada Day for myself and my friends. It's ridiculous, they make over twice the money I make and i work just as hard as they do, perhaps more. I wish i had it as good. This day and age a city job is like a license to print money. Would love to see them live on my wages with the level of work I do for a month and then see how bad they think their situation really is. Now reading that a small percentage did this, really makes me angry. The selfish few ruin it for all, as usual.

June 28, 2009 at 6:11:03 PM
I.Ugarte
yes,the workers should capitulate right now.
shame ,shame on them for doing this strike in these hard times.
Miller is not in voting list next time

June 28, 2009 at 4:46:38 PM
RS
First off, I'd like to say that I'm a winter seasonal worker who doesn't really receive any benefits that a lot of the full-time and year-round part-time workers get, but just having the option of getting benefits by working year-round is something that is always very much welcome and needed.

For those who think there's a health concern involved with this (so far) week-long garbage strike. If there really was a serious health concern, Windsor would be rolling out the body bags right now since they're in the 11th week of their own garbage strike. The people who think that a little rotting stench will be the cause of some sort of plague is completely ridiculous and I think they're a bit spoiled to begin with.

Not to mention that when a garbage day lands on a national or city-recognized holiday, there is no garbage pick-up and since its on alternating days, that means that those people will need to wait 2 weeks at least for a garbage pick-up (unless they dispose of it themselves)... which during the strike, the maximum (legal precedent) waiting time is 10 minutes in a car and 5 minutes on foot. If you're unable to wait that long due to a health issue or you're elderly or pregnant, union picketers will allow you through without a wait. Read the newspapers, it says so right in the articles about the garbage picket lines.

As for those city workers who are complaining about the strike, you WERE given the chance to have your SAY and VOTE, but since you chose to wave that RIGHT, you then have no real SAY into what the unions have decided! Want to have a voice? SPEAK UP and exercise your RIGHT TO VOTE. Its as simple as that!

June 28, 2009 at 11:01:55 AM
Torontonian with a heart
I don't have a union, however unlike most people commenting I took the time to read up on ALL the issues.

It is easy to say fire them all if your upset about trash, but do you know what else they are fighting for?

The City recently promised that they would help spike job creation and create some new positions themselves. Well now they want a hiring freeze. With so many people unemployed they wait an hour or more to see a worker in a social services office. A hiring freeze by the city would leave people waiting hours and employees more than overworked.

Did you know that the city wants to cancel all programs at community centres and parks on Mondays? How is that going to impact your child or yourself?

Stop trying to be so militant Toronto. You are so spoiled read up on the issues before you speak. I for one want to use our community centres on a Monday, and don't want to wait 4 hours to get a permit.

I'm disgusted and assahmed at how the city has been responding to workers.

Even the media had been one sided. They say in the comment section that they won't publish personal attacks. Have you read the comments in other posts? Where is your heart Toronto?? I think we all need to look at our behavior and walk a mile in another persons shoes.

NOT ONE of Picketters want to be out there. They are not getting paid. They are fighting for your services. Go and speak to one of them I'm sure you will be surprised when you find out what is really going on.

June 28, 2009 at 10:16:30 AM
Angry Parent
I think what the city is doing is outrageous. I am a single mother of 4 children in a City of Toroto daycare. How long do they think parents can tell their employers that they can not come into work? Not to mention that city daycares have a 2 week annual closure at the end of July. So all the parents that took a vacation during that time have to figure out another 2 weeks for childcare. It's completely selfish and I hope the Mayor plans on doing something about this soon or they're going to have a bunch of angry parents at the Welfare office.

June 28, 2009 at 1:43:52 AM
S
I think that with people losing their jobs, cars, homes and everything that they have worked for, we who still have jobs should consider ourselves lucky to still have them. People are losing their homes and going bankrupt and other people have the nerve to go on strike! I realize that they have difficult jobs, but so do many other people, and not everyone has the benefits (sick days, health benefits) etc. that they do.....we are just happy to be bringing home a paycheck every week.....no matter how small it may be!

June 27, 2009 at 1:21:17 PM
Brian
I think Mr. Miller and the City should take the effects of this strike very seriously. I am sure the 24,000 City workers have no desire to be pounding the pavement in the summer heat. Most workers are highly skilled employees that just want to return to work and I feel the City is stalling the negotiations just to save money. Let's not forget that the sick pay issue was something the City agreed to many years ago so that they could defer paying labour costs until many of the City's employees retire. Now they are reneging on the deal they struck earlier. How pathetic! Let's get these negotiations dealt with ASAP and get the City up and running again so that Daycares, Pools, Recreation Programs, Parks and Garbage can all get back to normal.

June 27, 2009 at 9:49:25 PM
Fed Up
The government is continually raising fees for services, raising management salary and giving astronomical bonuses to upper management and management. The workers are asking for the current benefits to remain the same. These are crucial services which will affect the tourism and the health of Torontonians. It is time the government takes responsibility for their actions and supports the blue collar workers. The city workers put their health on the line every day. The city workers work in any kind of weather. The city workers have no short term disability. They are exposed to all kinds of unknown chemicals, discarded syringes, and exposed to the unknown. The city workers should be respected and have the support of Torontonians and the government.

Torontonians, remember the majority of city workers support you and go above and beyond to accommodate your needs. (you know what I mean for example picking up garbage you are not permitted to put out and they take it any way).


Fed Up

June 28, 2009 at 11:06:02 PM
City Wife
City Wife

People grow up and smell the coffee. It makes me sick to be a Torontonian after reading what most of you had to say. The majority of the public is lashing out because their needs are not meet and feel they have paid for a service that should not be disrupted. I agree, but people wake up it’s our fault that we are in this position. The people are the ones who put David Miller in power; the people are the fools that believe every thing they hear. Even after being double crossed by the leaders the people continue to listen to their lies to win them over and go against their own. You should not make such harsh comments and have strong opinions if you don’t know the real facts. The majority of you are going by what you hear that’s called gossip people and you should know better. For those of you who think that the city works are grossly overpaid you definitely have no concept of what their wages are like you must be talking about the big shots at the top of the food chain because your regular blue collar workers are no were close to being over grossly paid. I should know I live on a city workers pay check.

The reason most people choose to be live in this country is because of the freedom we have to be able to speak our minds and fight for our rights. But, we contradict these rights when they don’t apply to our selves. What does that make us?

June 28, 2009 at 6:50:34 PM
Lee
Enough already, there is little or no progress, and the city STINKS. The Premier must make a decision soon, give them 2 weeks or legislate them back to work. It seems the Premier is waiting for Public Health to say health is at stake, for God's sake do your job and get these bums back.

June 28, 2009 at 8:40:00 PM
Nancy
All everybody is talking about is the garbage. What about the cancellation of summer camp programs that working parents rely on for childcare while we actually go to work? How many times do these people have to strike before they are deemed essential services and lose their right to strike?

June 29, 2009 at 4:04:12 AM
Starr
Ive got 4 kids who use the daycare services. Because of this strike, like many other parents, Ive had to take time off work. So here's my question: Will the government send me a cheque to cover lost income? Will they provide my rent money, since I dont get paid if I dont work. I dont get sick pay, or vacation pay, or anything of the sort. So, when I tell my landlord that I cant pay the rent, will the government back me up? And I agree that the media should also talk about the parents who are affected and get off the "garbage stench", for a moment. I think families with children who need supervision while the parents make a living is a more important subject. Whatever they need to do or discuss, should be done while the workers are ORDERED back to work! If this goes on any longer, the government will have to feel the wrath of thousands of angry parents pounding at their door!
Order the workers back to work and deal with the issue already!

June 29, 2009 at 9:48:47 AM
Mike
I think most people who live in the City do not support the workers in this case. If you review the details of the contracts (bargained in good faith) you will notice in particular that the benefits are extremely generous compared to the average worker especially the sick day benefit. In today's business conditions workers are being asked to accept pay cuts etc as business conditions demand some compromises otherwise full scale layoffs would result. It is only fair that taxpayers would also ask their workers in these conditions to also accept cutbacks or concessions. You can't continually raise taxes in an environment where revenues are shrinking. It would be the same as a business raising its prices in an economic downturn. Most of their customers would tell them to take a hike. The only concession I would make here is that sacrifices be made in all areas affecting the City budget not just these workers.

June 29, 2009 at 9:49:01 AM
J K
It is obvious to me that Miller wants to spend the $240,000,000 (yes two hundred and forty million dollars) the city will save by elminating sick bank costs on new street cars... so what if you have rats and filth in the street

June 29, 2009 at 9:55:59 AM
MBC
I'm sorry but at a time when so many are out of work this is ridiculous. Here's a thought for the City to show the challenges they face are real...That pay raise you gave yourselves without even having a vote...How about rescind it..All those free perks you enjoy..how about cancel them...its a different environment and every dollar counts...Lead by example..you cannot enforce what you do not practice yourselves!

June 29, 2009 at 9:57:08 AM
Malcolm
If I were a tourist thinking of vacationing I wouldn't be considering Toronto. Maybe we should bill back the unions for the lost opportunities that we are all going to suffer from. Think of all the inconvenienced Moms with no school and no daycare facilities. Last but not least, how about all those fat rats and racoons that will be plaquing our city and possibly spreading worse diseases than H1N1. No, get back to work or give the job to someone who wants it!

June 29, 2009 at 10:00:36 AM
Jeff Gillott Oshawa commuter
I wanted to clarify the sick pay issue. As a city worker we are, or have been entitled to 18 days per year that can be carried over. Now, here is what is not being said. These days are capped at 120. That is to say that after working for 30 years we are allowed to leave 120 days earlier than our normal retirement date. If more than 120 days are accumulated they go back to the city. Now, is that so much to ask? City mangers, supervisors, superintendents, district managers, etc, etc, etc, who by the way all earn at least double that of a front line worker are given a 3% bonus annually as well as countless other perks. What are we given? and where is the REAL waste?
Thank You

June 29, 2009 at 10:13:34 AM
Neil
I find this strike "Appalling" & I would like to see the Naive Citizens of Toronto finally stand up for themselves & file a Criminal Negligence lawsuit against the City & its Mayor. Its absurd that 24000 city workers can hold a city of a few million to ransom while the Mayor runs around enjoying himself at the Parade! Garbage collection should be deemed essential service & it is essentially a health hazard. Especially at a time when the world is facing a pandemic ( swineflu), & as usual Toronto being the Epicenter. To add to it we now have tons of garbage rotting in the open hot/humid summer & rain!! On one hand we encourage our kids to use hand sanitizers as many times as possible to prevent the spread of swineflu & at the same they are living & playing in a huge garbage dump namely " TORONTO" with the rat population now said to be exploding. I fail to understand what the Toronto Health officials are doing ? or do they consider the garbage pile up & spread of diseases 2 entirely different issues? Are they not related in anyway? Or they hand in glove with the Mayor of Toronto? I hold the Mayor of Toronto & other elected officials personally responsible for failing to perform the duties they were elected for & for jeaporadising the health & safety of Toronto citizens. Its time for us to stand up for our right to a clean city & against this complacent administration & hold them accountable for putting our children's health at risk even after paying the exorbitant taxes that we also do.

June 29, 2009 at 10:17:51 AM
KB
Public Health Is on STRIKE...Management is running the show!

June 29, 2009 at 10:26:34 AM
Ela from Oshawa
I can not understand why political ambitions and financial stability/gains are more important than orginazing vacaton time for our children. What do we teach them?

June 29, 2009 at 10:49:52 AM
Dave
To all the people who are thinking we the workers want to be out on the picket lines and are demanding too much contact your councillors and demand that binding arbitration be imposed if you feel our requests are unreasonable, but know this The Mayor awarded contracts to other Toronto Public Service Employees this year without these concessions he is demanding from these 2 unions. Ask yourself is this the way you feel parts of the public service should be treated?

June 29, 2009 at 10:59:10 AM
stinky union workers
Union workers are Sacred cows. Get rid of all the unions and give their jobs to people who really want to work.

More, More, More.... UNION SLOGAN!!!!

June 29, 2009 at 11:00:53 AM
mlakshma
I agree with Candy. The premier should step in to avoid facing decline in productivity by the general workforce.

Working parents are hit the hardest.

Let us just all get back to our productive lives! Please!

June 29, 2009 at 11:00:53 AM
Christine
Contract all garbage works then we will not have strike anymore. Union workers is asking too much!!!

June 29, 2009 at 11:04:25 AM
AB
Thanks to the temporary transfer stations, I can drop off my garbage anytime without having to wait two weeks for pickup.

This service is much better.

The workers can stay on strike all year!

June 29, 2009 at 11:06:57 AM
MF
I think that it is time that the unions of Canada get a grip on reality, city employees, and in fact most union employees, are some of the best paid employees with some of the best benefits that there are. I mean really do they even have a clue how many people there are out there that don't get any sick days at all, forget about being able to carry them over, or getting paid for them. Sick days are there for you if you get sick if you don't get sick then you don't get sick days, they are a luxury, and you should be happy that you have a job that will still pay you if you get sick and need to take time off. so many people get paid less to do the same jobs, and have no benefits, or pensions, or sick days or any one to look out for their need and rights, so those that do should be respectful of it and sometimes happy for what they have, sometimes look for more, and most important sometimes they need to know when to it is best for all for them to take less.
I am all for good wages and benefits but it still needs to stay in line with what is financially reasonable. Just as it is no good for the Employer to have to much power over the employees, it is also no good for the employees to have to much power over the employer. The money for all of this will have to come from the citizens of Toronto in increased Taxes and loss of services, and jobs, cause when there is no money people lose their jobs.

June 29, 2009 at 11:07:24 AM
JJ from Toronto
1) Just like the local Tamil Population who became a public nuisance holding the GTA hostage, you whiney CUPE workers should just suck it up, grin & bear it.

2) Your petty squabbling w/ the city should not impinge on the rest of the GTA's lives.

3) I personally have had 2 members of my immediate family laid off in the last 3 mos.but you don't see us blocking roadways & throwing a hissy fit drawing negative
attention to ourselves.


4) Consider yourselves lucky to still have jobs, instead of bickering over bankable sick days....please !

June 29, 2009 at 11:07:53 AM
Mark
Well, after reading all these comments; pro-union, pro-city, pro-Miller, anti-city, anti-Miller, pro-self etc etc... I really hope that the persons who are bargaining are more mature than the average comments here. I'm not meaning to offend anyone, however there is very little fact to what is posted, and very much emotion.

If I could sum up my thoughts:

1. city politicians should lead by example and cut their own perks.

2. Non-union city workers/management should follow the same

3. Union workers should realize that some "bargains" they've received are not sustainable. Years of benefits negotiated by unions over the past does not mean they are the right thing to do in the future. Times change - unions, be flexible and change with them (GM did because it had to)

4. Toronto people, stop complaining. If 1 week of city garbage is too much to store, then you're doing something wrong.

5. Toronto people, stop expecting so much from city services. I'd be happy to pay less taxes for less services. And no, I dont think garbage collection, day care, or summer camp is an essential service. Are people getting injured or dying, and are torontonians' safety at risk? no.

6. I think improving transit quality is more important for the city than paid sick days (economic, environmental, revenue), and I wouldnt mind having some funds transferred there.

If only people could be less me-centric and contribute more to positive societal growth, we wouldnt be squabbling over these petty issues. On the bright side, the city does save lots of money the longer the strike persists. Not necessarily a bad thing

June 29, 2009 at 11:13:28 AM
A worker
I am a member of Local 79. I do not want to be on strike. I have a mortgage and bills to pay just like everyone else. For those of you that are saying that city workers are overpaid, come on over and do my job. I’m definitely not making the kind of money that many people seem to think we make. Yes, we have a good benefits plan and a good pension. Private sector employees make better money (for the most part) and also can have great perks (such as stock in the company, expense accounts, bonuses, daycare). It’s all a choice we make. I choose when I was starting a career to work for the city – others choose to work for private companies etc.

The unions will tell you that 90% voted to strike. But they are not telling you how many of the 24,000 workers actually voted. I’m guessing it was less than 2,000, and YES I went and voted NO. They always make it work for them – workers were informed of the vote location ONE DAY before the vote and it was held on a Sunday way out in the east end. Why not make it easier for ALL members to have their say? Because they know it would have been a NO STRIKE VOTE. The vast majority of workers WANT TO BE AT WORK – NOT ON STRIKE.

Now onto the sick day issue. There are 24,000 members on strike. 10,000 of them are part time and contract staff. They do not get sick days. Of the remaining 14,000 members, not all are on the 18 day plan. I’m not on it – and it is not fair that my direct co-worker is on it and I am not. I get 4 occcurrences a year and they are not cumulative. However, I have short term disabililty coverage, and those with the 18 days do not. I want us all on the same plan.

HOWEVER, it was the CITY that created and implemented the sick plan…..it’s not fair that they now want to just take it away. Why not grandfather it in for new employees? Or switch everyone to a new plan, but have some kind of compensation.

As for us wanting a raise……yes I know we are in a recession…..but all the other city unions (and councilors) got the 3% a year – we should get the same. And the $ is in the BUDGET!!! I prepare a budget for my section and was told to add the 3% into the wages……so it’s there!!!

The city and unions are playing a game. Many of us want to work. I’ve applied to cross the picket line and get back to work – the union is threatening to fire us – but they can’t. Maybe more workers need to cross and return to work. I have tons and tons of admin work I can get caught up on – because we also have a hiring freeze so many of us are covering 2 peoples workloads.

June 29, 2009 at 11:17:35 AM
Sam Cook
Before folks start to blast the City workers, they should now the facts. The workers do not want to strike. They even do not want a raise. they do not want nothing. The city workers know times are hard. But the Management is the Greedy ones. They want all the perks. We as city workers want to work. With regards to the sick time, that was given to us a while back. So why take it away now. How about when the police got 10 % raise and TTC got their raise? Why isn't the public seeing that. The public should know the facts before blasting the City workers. Oh! by the way, if you think the City of workers Toronto are being paid well, that is a wasted thought. The city workers in all other municipalities are paid more that the us the City of Toronto workers. So as I said again, if you do not know the facts, just stay be quiet.
From a City of Toronto worker who wants to work.

June 29, 2009 at 11:18:25 AM
Sam
The strikers have it all wrong. Look at it this way. The way they block public access to the transfer stations are positioning themselves against the public. Make no mistake. They should be against their employer and not the public. By doing so pushes the public to have no sympathy with the strikers. On the other hand, the strikers can easily win public support by helping people at the transfer stations. They can't even figure out this simple theory but just blindly follow the union's direction?

June 29, 2009 at 11:28:47 AM
Andrew
Mark, thank you for bringing to light the feeling and opinion of MANY within our great city of Toronto. I hope all of the CUPE workers, as well as David Miller and his office read your post because many of us have been trying to state what you've said since day one, but we're not being heard. We have to work together like a family if our city is to survive, and we must make sacrifices sometimes for the greater good of the many. I applaud your carefully thought out statement.

June 29, 2009 at 11:33:13 AM
Marco
I am a member of CUPE 79 as well as a student who also suffered during the York University strike. I am a part-time worker, therefore this strike is not benefitting me at all. I'm really upset that this strike has already lasted as long as it has. First, the York University strike took away part of my summer job and now the city is taking away more of it. Its terrible. LEGISLATE US BACK TO WORK!

June 29, 2009 at 11:40:09 AM
HEATHER
FIRE THEM ALL AND HIRE PEOPLE THAT ARE UNEMPLOYED.,ANYONE WOULD BE GLAD TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT JOB AT LESS THEN WHAT THEY ARE MAKING NOW. THIS CITY IS FALLING APART AND THESE IDIOTS DECIDE TO GO ON STRIKE,I HOPE THEY NEVER SETTLE WITH THEM-JUST GET RID OF THEM.

June 29, 2009 at 11:44:26 AM
Doug
Miller should take a strong stance against the strikers. No more talks until they return to work, give them a deadline on next monday, then if they don't return to work fire them and hire replacements.

June 29, 2009 at 11:58:36 AM
End this strike
I think they should be happy that they get sick days at all. Many of us do not have allocated sick days and therefore it is almost taboo to take one. I'm sorry but I just don't agree with this strike at all.

June 29, 2009 at 12:11:55 PM
Chris
To all the city workers who say they did not want to strike but want to work. Anyone would want to work at such a well paid job with those kinds of benefits. Some say they dont want anything more but to keep what they had - what you had was too much to begin with. What skill or does a garbage collector or clerical worker bring to the job. How can some compare themselves to the police, ttc. Only the paramedics and public health nurses bring value to their jobs with the skills they have.

June 29, 2009 at 12:19:25 PM
Laurie
this is a disgrace for Toronto.They get paid enough to pick up our garbage and we as tax paying citizens pay for it! Enough start picking it up, this is disgusting. Now, I hear there could be a 4 hour wait for an ambulance? I had alot more respect for paramedics before I heard this.If anything, I am now very disappointed in our paramedics of Toronto.You're suppose to help us when in need, not let us die! You chose your career so do it!
I have much more respect to the Toronto Fire Dept, at least they don't let the citizens down, and when they want something, atleast they don't screw up the people like the ambulance service just did. Do your jobs and if you can't handle it, get the heck out!!

June 29, 2009 at 12:26:48 PM
toronto tax payer
I have two things to say..
pick up my garbage, I pay my taxes!
I shouldn't have to wait 4 hrs for an ambulance! Do your job and be thankful you have one! My respect for paramedics has now gone down the sink..I'm glad fire is not as irresponsible.

June 29, 2009 at 12:27:08 PM
JKDN
For all you people that are complaining you don't make as much money as the city but still work just as hard.. 1 simple solution, GO APPLY FOR A JOB AT THE CITY.. If you don't want to work for the city then you have no right to complain about money.. I am 100% behind this strike, I am to the point I am going to start piling trash from the streets on the mayor's office doors.. he's a coward and over paid piece of crap.. It's a tuff time out there for jobs but business's are hiring you just have to know where to look.. Collection Agency's are always hiring, McDonalds, BKING,

June 29, 2009 at 12:30:32 PM
Mom
Replacement workers? Why not a replacement council that has the foresight to see that giving themselves a raise is not the way to lead!

June 29, 2009 at 12:31:25 PM
Kevin in Taxoronto
I read another story where a union leader said that they blocked trash collector replacements after the Pride Parade to "slow them down from doing our job". HELLO??!!?? The union has no contract with the city, where does this idiot get off saying that other people were doing their (the union's) job? The problem with CUPE is that it covers too many different groups with different skill levels, etc. I would suggest contracting out all services that do not require special skills / training, such as garbage collection, making those people redundant NOW, while they have a chance - since we know that under a collective bargain, the city would have to give severance to the workers, their children, and grandchildren. Miller is a buffoon, worrying about setting up snitch lines for illegal dumpers. How about a snitch line for union thugs that block public access to transfer stations for hours?! Windsor union is allowed to delay each person by no more than 5 minutes - this is fair and equitable, giving the union their opportunity to protest. While I do not support the union demands, I do support their right to protest.

June 29, 2009 at 12:32:26 PM
Bryan Deering
Here we go again. Enough with the striking. I understand that employees want more but in times like these it is hard to get more when the city does not have much to give. A lot of companies are taking hits due to the recession. Were I work the employees got hit hard: no more paid sick days, reduced hours, and pay structure. We all have to come together in these tough times and help each other out at least we still have jobs and be thankful for that.

June 29, 2009 at 12:49:14 PM
Ben Cachola
I used to make $9/hour,now I am unemployed.I've been in this country for 2.5 decades. And I've never seen a permanent job even for politicians.

Fire all those greedy union workers.

June 29, 2009 at 1:06:23 PM
USmellThat
Wow!I just walked down Church Street and parts of Yonge and it looks AWFUL! There are not only pieces of garbage, but human fecal matter and urine so heavy you can smell it from a block away. But according to our fair haired fashion plate Miller, this is not a health hazard. The Pride Parade and after parties did more damage than expected it would seem. Welcome to Toronto, Pig Sty of the World.

June 29, 2009 at 1:07:47 PM
ben
why don't hire me

June 29, 2009 at 1:12:49 PM
Lee in T.O.
It's great that the Pride festivities carried on.
However, to cancel Canada Day celebrations due to the strike is kind of contradictory.
Shouldn't we celebrate this country which allows such celebrations like Pride week to continue? Isn't that why so many people travelled from abroad to join in on the fun - because Canada offers us the FREEDOM to do so?
Why discriminate against Canada Day?
Hire these same workers to clean up after our celebration of our Country.
Just a thought.

June 29, 2009 at 1:28:29 PM
Mark
Comments from "a worker" i dont feel sorry for you, I dont need to see your job, You chose that job so if you are so haed done by then quit and let the unemployed take over. Unions are the cause of the problems too much money and little education, no doubt you want to be paid like a Univ. grad. Take what you get which is a lot more than most of us get for minimum wage. You are all so greedy.

June 29, 2009 at 2:21:10 PM
Sandi
I am a former Torontonian living in Florida and there are almost no unions here and NO STRIKES! Unions may have been a good idea in the "olden days" but not during these times. But how do you now get them ousted?

June 29, 2009 at 2:26:17 PM
Stacy
This is a plead to Mayor David Miller & the striking city workers, Please, Please resume working, I am out of the job due to this strike and without this job i will not be able to go back to school in september...I have been looking but there isn't anywhere hiring at this moment. Most places already have their summer staff.

June 29, 2009 at 3:04:27 PM
Robert
To the CUPE workers who want more of our money to do less:

a) You say you want public sympathy, that you have families and need to provide for them. You have demonstrated you don't care about mine. Why on earth would I ever do anything for yours. My kids don't have daycare nor a day camp to go to this summer. They are subject to piles of garbage in their parks. Thanks for using my children as bargaining chips in your selfish game. There will be a day where one of your ranks will need something from those of us whom your are mistreating....

b) I saw one of your media spokesmen on the news the other night indicating that taxpayers are the client and the union should be serving the client. Nice words. They'd actually mean something if your membership followed through on it. (ie allowing the public to celebrate Canada Day for example??? Alas, this would probably be an inconvenience to your membership)

c) You claim to be doing this for everyone's betterment. You have cancelled Canada Day, kept our kids out of daycare, used garbage collection to hold us at gun point, then make veil attempts at photo ops to "help" taxpayers unload the garbage you have refused to collect. Priceless!!

d) When members of your clan escapes from under the control spin doctors and media spokespersons who present them as disadvantaged and loyal Toronto employees and family people, more often than not they resort to profanity and threats to counter anyone who would have the nerve to suggest they don't deserve far more than they are asking for, as their jobs are more difficult than any other. (cough)

Get back to work. Start earning back our respect - then we'll talk.

June 29, 2009 at 3:10:02 PM
Lucas Worth
Ok lets get to some facts.

Mayor approved the same sick bank ( the most talked subject in this strike ) to Police, Enwave , TTC, Toronto Community Housing etc ( other city unions) then why not to these striking workers and their managemnet staff ? Why tragetting 79 and 416 ?

Also Council got themsleves a good raise just 11 weeks ago and now suddenly mayor and the coincil are talking about tough economic times? I guess the tough time started a couple years ago and was not the product of last weeks ( after the council's raise )

Can someone from the city pl explain ?

June 29, 2009 at 3:26:11 PM
Dave
If you want to put the blame unto someone it should go to the heart of the mess which is the blonde bumbling idiot mayor of Toronto whom would much rather get as much money as possible out of the tax payers and workers than give some money up. Why no one else has started to do this is unknown but why not everyone begin to take all of their trash and pile it all along the doors of City Hall since the only time they'll care about the people of Toronto is when they want to be elected.

June 29, 2009 at 3:40:36 PM
J.Mijango
As a Canadian, to cancel Canada Day celebrations instead of the pride parade is beyond me.
The number one reason...money.
Pride in oneself is great.But, to stomp all over the rest of Torontonians that would enjoy celebrating being a Canadian.Is just sick.It's horrible to watch this and have no say in it whatsoever.It's damn ironic though.Is this how our city workers show their patriotism?
Mr.Miller.You no longer have my vote!!!
As tax payers you make us flip the bill to pay private garbage collectors for the pride parade.Yet not for the rest of our city.

SHAME ON YOU
ALL!!!

June 29, 2009 at 3:50:25 PM
Bogdan Toronto
I personally support striking workers and I’m willing to deal with garbage inconvenience as long as it takes, but something should be done about attitude of non unionized workers at garbage dumps stations.

June 29, 2009 at 4:41:38 PM
City employee
This message is for the Lifeguard that doesn't support the strike yet decides to picket anyway. The union has fought for many rights for Recreation Workers including seniority & recall rights, access to the City's benefits and pension plans. Although this is a hardship for all City of Toronto employees, we have to support our union so they can protect what has already been established in our collective agreements. The strike has happened because of mismanagement of City's funds .

June 29, 2009 at 6:12:24 PM
A worker
I don't think some of you are reading what the workers that are posting are saying. WE WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK.

I have applied to return to work and cross the picket line, but in order to do so, I run the risk of being kicked out of the union and therefore out of a job entirely. I have 17 years seniority and can not risk that by crossing.

WE DO NOT ALL WANT TO BE ON STRIKE.

oh and I do have a university education, a masters in fact.

June 29, 2009 at 7:03:48 PM
Luke
I think everyone needs to remeber that life is hard right now.
The mayor was a twit whose little group voted for thier raise at the begining of the these tough times. And now the Unions want thier cut.
Both groups are idiots for not understanding that times are tough and people are loosing thier Jobs and HOMES.
If Miller was serious he would "Roll back" the council's pay raise and offer the Union this deal all the current staff have thier sick banks grandfathered for the total time they worked up until the start of this strike. and by Grandfathered it would mean no more accumilation of sick days if you have 6 months then you have 6 months if you have 6 days then you have 6 days.

June 29, 2009 at 7:51:15 PM
Tracey at Highland Creek
As a city worker for 27 years I have never seen the public lash out at us like this. My co-workers and myself carried garbage out of citizens vehicles at a temporary dump this morning. We are not picketing these dumps. I understand that when the strike started the union hadn't tabled any demands but the city had over 100 pages of concessions. The people who had to go to the dump on the first day of the strike are the ones who should be ashamed of themselves, that wasn't even a normal garbage pick-up day. I think that the public should also realize what a great job the city management is presently doing and what a horrible situation the Toronto politicians have put everybody in.

June 29, 2009 at 8:22:57 PM
Cathy Lee
My husband collects scrap metal for extra money and alot of our neighbours know of him so when the garbage strike started the people that were unable to get to the drop off sites called him and asked him if he could take thier garbage for them. When he got to the drop off site he was turned away because he had over 10 bags of garbage and was accused of takin money from people for his services. Its funny how they say we are allowed unlimted amounts of bags yet when you get there they wouldnt let him drop off more then 3. So now we will continue to pick up our neighbours trash but have to keep it in our own driveway as we can only drop of so many at a time. I contacted access torontos hotline and was informed that if i wanna help my neighbours i need a signed letter with the address of every person i help.

June 29, 2009 at 8:46:13 PM
Diane
David Miller could have had this problem resolved six months ago, before it even started. He and his cronies had no problem sneaking in their raise, which is NOT deserved. Keeping their perks, which again are NOT deserved at the expense of the taxpayer. Now we have to deal with our own garbage, watch the city of Toronto go further down the crapper....Thanks Miller you are a disgrace! You and your cronies are killing the people of this city, taking, taking, taking and giving nothing in return. Get off your backside and GET this situation RESOLVED! NOW, we are sick to death of you.

June 29, 2009 at 9:52:39 PM
Todd L
It really upsets me that so many people here are blaming the unions and the workers. If it wernt for UNIONS everyone would be working 7 days a week!!! UNIONS gave you your weekends!!! There are comments like"fire them all and get new workers, everyone would love a government/city job!! YA because of the job pertection and benifits of being a UNION WORKER!! If there were no unions we'd all be working for 7 dollars an hour!! Why did every one in the city council and the mayor get a raise???? Why are we not making a big fuss about them?? It was only 3 months ago!! Remember these workers are also tax payers just like you!! Everyone should really know what this strike is all about before commenting on it! If you want to make as much as a city worker UNIONIZE your work place and you can. UNION YES!!!

June 29, 2009 at 10:17:45 PM
Melanie
This strike has to stop! Most people think the sick days are the only issue, and its not. There are many other things that the city wants to take from these workers, and it isnt fair. I support the Union and workers 100 percent, but the strike has to stop. Most of the workers dont want to be on strike. Theyre not getting paid, and this is affecting their lifes just as much as the people that need the services! The city has to step up, and start making reasonable offers.

June 30, 2009 at 10:47:29 PM
trolly
a cupe member (union worker) stopped me today and asked if I knew what was going on!. I said, "Yes, I know you are the one not getting paid and having to walk around all morning/afternoon like a zombie, while her 'union bosses' are sitting/sleeping/feasting on hotel food in the comfort of their rooms - AND MOST IMPORTANLY - GETTING PAID!!"

she agreed with me, with the saddest look in her eyes.

Everyone, pls. don't lump all these workers together - many of them are too scared of their union (bullies), to say anything against it.
There are many ignorant (or naive) ones who will never get it!

June 30, 2009 at 11:23:50 PM
stuck in the middle part 2
I posted recently (pg 3) and just wanted to add a few points - I want to go back to work, I'm still afraid of what will happen to myself or my home if I cross the line - Something else I think the public should know - two weeks before the strike, my office in Public Health worked longer hours, on our own time to make sure things were set up for management to handle - to make the inconvenience to the public as minimal as possible - because we CARE and because we take pride in what we do. I voted NO so I get to have a say against this strike. I'm so sick of hearing about the sick time, I said it before -take it - I just want my job. The City is loving this strike - they are making a fortune not paying salaries.Unions have out served their purpose but the workers DON'T HAVE A CHOICE - if you work for the city - you must join the union and go along with what they decide. I have been spit on, had garbage thrown at me, nudged with cars and called names not fit to print, been told by a "man" that he was going to go home and come back with a machine gun & kill us all - seriously! because he had to wait to park!! call the Mayor, the unions and politicians - demand that we are legislated back and an arbitrator appointed - tell them to handle it like grown ups not like children who want to see who can pee further!
thanks to the supporters and if you don't support us thanks for not spitting/throwing/trying to run us over etc.

June 30, 2009 at 12:04:17 AM
Kathleen
The issue of sick days has been grossly exaggerated. There are only a handful of workers currently holding more than 50 banked sick days and the government has not told the whole story as usual,city employees cashing out sick days at retirement only get half the time they have in their sick bank.Many garbage men are exposed to hazardous materials everyday and the amount of men who are currently sick with skin conditions,pulmonary tract infections,joint problems and a whole list of other job related conditions is staggering.Those sick days were given workers to cut down on workers comp claims.Why inst anyone investigating managers that are receiving bonuses for keeping trucks off the road and forcing these men to work longer and longer with heavier products each year with out even an increase in the cost of living currently on the table.Each truck goes to 1,100 to 1,500 homes each day they are picking up 20 tons of garbage every day on every truck that is 44,000 pounds. People hide hazardous waste in garbage . Garbage men cannot receive MRI's without being x-rayed first because of exposure to heavy metals that get trapped inside their bodies. Come on give these guys a break they make about 52,000 a year and pay 16,000 in tax right off the top they are even now having to pay for their own pensions.Reports that they have no caps on their benefits is dead wrong.Speaking of dead, being a garbageman is 2nd in fatalities behind fireman not to mention the number of men that will never get to bounce their grandchildren on their knees because of the long term effects on joints that all that heavy lifting puts on them.Bless them all, they are a tough breed.

June 30, 2009 at 7:32:30 AM
Doris - Toronto
I wish you would tell your viewers about the homeless fellows that are picking up garbage in downtown Toronto. They are not panhandling, but I am suggesting that we all reach into our pockets and give them money for their garbage bags and their initiative!
Watching the most industrious young man cleaning every bit of debris from the area around Old City Hall, I was struck by the fact that he was doing a better job than city workers usually do.
I decided to point out to union men standing nearby that they should offer him the money to buy his breakfast. One observer's reaction was, "He's cleaning the streets because he lives in the streets," to which my response was, "They are my streets too ... and they are yours as well." A union member said, "You're quite right. Thank you for pointing that out. It's a good idea." With that, he approached the man, spoke to him and gave him some money.
When he returned to his friends, I asked him what the man had said and learned that the same individual had picked up 40 bags of garbage after the Pride festivities.
As I then rode east on the Queen car, I saw another street person with a garbage bag picking up litter in the pouring rain. When I commented on this to another passenger, the man told me that is what the homeless do in Vancouver.
It wouldn't hurt any of us to pick up the litter ... and, if we don't, let's appreciate those who do!

June 30, 2009 at 8:10:57 AM
Jodi (Single Mom)
While some attention was brought to the public via CP 24 yesterday (and by some I mean very little) about this strike and the effects it is having on the families in Toronto, 95% of the focus has been on the garbage issue.

Parents depend on the city run daycares and daycamps to survive. I for one put all my faith in the Toronto Parks and Rec day camp programs as a form of daycare for my son this summer. I don't have any other alternative, especially now because all the other camps are full. I was able to cover all the days this week, but I fear that next week will be a challenge to say the least. I am a single mom, and I can't just up and take time off work. There are bills to pay... it just doesn't work that way.

I urge all to rally our MPP's to pressure Dalton Maguinty to do something. Legislate these people back to work. The majority of these strikers want to go back, and the innocent people (particularily the working lower middle class who depend on these daycare programs and have no other means) are suffering.

We do not live in Windsor! The circumstances surrounding this strike are much different, and cover a much broader spectrum then garbage alone. We need to do something for the Kids and the people of this city!

June 30, 2009 at 10:17:13 AM
Cathy Lee
I wrote a blog yesterday regarding my husband and myself helping our neighbours by taking their garbage in for them for those who were unable to. I would like to bring attention to everyone that what we are being told by the mayor and access toronto is incorrect and we have been mislead on the amount of garbage we are able to drop off. We have been told that you can take unlimited bags which is not the truth. When you get to the drop of spots or transfer stations and if you have more then 4 bags you will be turned away. We have tried to help our neighbours but are no longer able to now as our own driveway will be a dumpsite if we continue as we cant take more then 4 bags and end up stuck with the other bags. Due to the cost of gas and our own work schedule we have been forced to stop helping out our neighbours.

June 30, 2009 at 10:39:55 AM
AB
What the public needs to know is that they are not being informed with the facts. The information is only coming via the City management. The information is only one sided. The question needs to be, where is money being wasted? Mayor Miller comments that there is no money left. Well,the City is very top heavy; highly employed by supervisors and management earning over $100,000.00 per year plus bonuses. Ratio is at least 5:1. Where does this ratio exist in any other well run organization?Also, are they executives of profit making businesses? The city needs to be run by business people. Also, Miller has made comments that Welfare costs have put a huge strain on the city budget. Why is there no attention being paid to the exploding Welfare FRAUD? Also, The city needs to be audited for waste on each departments office budgets. If these budgets are not used by fiscal year end, unnecessary purchases and office improvements are made in fear that the same budget will not be granted the next year.

June 30, 2009 at 11:05:09 AM
TR
Too much attention is being given to the 18 sick days per year. That information was thrown out there by City negotiators to anger the public and ensure the city workers do not get support, and to deflect the attention from the real issues.
Reality is, most employers like the banks and other organizations have a short term disability program which allows people to be off for serious illnesses. City does not provide that. Teachers get much more than that per year for 9 months of work. Also, the average reported sick days used per year by city workers is 5 days. After 3 days a doctors note is required and if an employee uses more than the 5 days, they ae called in to a meeting and go on an attendance program where they are monitored. Also, city employees pay for their own pensions and other benefits. There is also the issue where in the last 22 years, most employees have not had a pay increase for 10 years of that due to past years of 0% contracts, freezes and 'Bob Ray days' which reduced pays by 5% each year for 4 years. However, management have continued to receive their increases which has created a large gap between them and the employees greater than in any other industry. Who are they, the executives in the Auto or Utilities industries? The City is very top heavy and a huge amount of money can be saved by emilinating alot of those unnecessary salaries. Employees do not need that many baby sitters. The City just needs to be more efficient. Finally, there are many employees who have been with the city for years part time casual and still have not gotten full time hours. They cannot support their families this way.

June 30, 2009 at 1:08:04 PM
Jay
Hello All...I just wanted to voice my opinion on this strike. I realize that everyone has to fight for what they want, and I respect that. On the flip side, this strike has affected me greatly financially. I work on the Toronto islands at a restaurant. One that relies on people being able to get there to eat. With the ferry workers being on strike, work is very slow, and shifts are not that available. It has cost me a great deal of money in both wages, and tips. Probably close to $1000 a week. I dont have any other income coming in, or cant go on EI. Money is super tight, and not sure how I am going to pay my bills. I want this to be resolved as quickly as possible, so I can return to work full time.

June 30, 2009 at 1:28:12 PM
Lee Brown
18 sick days is to much.I think 7 sick days what they don t use let them get paid at the end of the year, I think there also should be a wage freeze for 1 yr. I am a city worker and i do not agree with what the head of the union is doing . how long will we have to work to catch up on the wages we lose douring strike. this strike is going on long enough. for us that live from pay day to pay day.

June 30, 2009 at 2:34:37 PM
Another LIfeguard
I am as well a student needing to pay for next years tuition and I am also against the vote. Being a part time staff with the city, particularly as a lifeguard we had absolutely no say in the matter and I think is it extremely unfair. I live on my own and have rent, bills and food to buy in order to support myself and I do not feel as if we "part time "/students were considered at all. I need this strike to end or else I am going to have to look for work else where and unfortunately may have to take out a hefty loan in order to support myself next year. I am hoping and praying that this strike will end because it is causing nothing but chaos in the city and a lot of negative views brought upon a lot of city workers who didn't even have a choice but to strike.

June 30, 2009 at 2:54:44 PM
Richard Labonte
Most of the city workers are average people who applied for a city job with the skills or abilities they have.Anyone can apply and after a careful evaluation are hired on their abilities.. not to difficult.Only the best workers stick it out for the long term and endure snickers from some that did not succeed or did not apply for positions. Garbageman pick up your filth everyday in all kinds of weather without complaint.If the average person did some of this work for one day there would be more understanding of how hard and dangerous the job is.Other Union jobs have the same issues..doing the job that has you in the public eye answerable to the publics complaints real or imagined.

June 30, 2009 at 4:02:47 PM
Cathy Sunderland
I think it's time for the people of Toronto to stop complaining, and relized how good they have had it!

The way people are talking down to garbage collectors is outrageous. Just look around, in just 2 days after the strike started the mess we had made was horrific in just 48 hours. Tell me these people don't deserve what they earn. You could not pay me enough to pick up smelly, maggot infested garbage every day in the hot summers or for that matter in the freezing days of winter. We obviously can't manage our own waste, look at the streets; people just throw their garbage everywhere.

June 30, 2009 at 5:42:49 PM
kitcat
CUPE is a really a group of funny people.

They don't know GM go bankrupcy, they don't know people are losing jobs, they don't know what depression means, they don't know tons of people out there can work better for less they are making.

They do know GTA is on my hostage, they do know summer is hot and garbage can be funny smelly, they do know government is un-bankruptable.

June 30, 2009 at 6:33:34 PM
Local 79 Staff
1st get your facts straight about over paid City of Toronto Staff. Peel and Durham staff by average get paid MORE than Toronto staff so over paid compared to what? People talk about give me their job I would do it. The reason people want Union jobs (City jobs) is because they pay well. If a garbage man made $8. an hour would would apply? The reason fast food always is hiring because it is a starter job until you can get a next one. I don’t want people looking after my kids, or inspecting where I eat or live to be getting a low wage so it is a started job. Paying a City staff left will just cost more as staff will keep turning over so you will have to pay to post, interview, train and then do it all over again. Most people look for a job that pays more.

June 30, 2009 at 6:40:08 PM
Ashley
I have 2 small children in a city run daycare. I have no choice but to stay home with my kids. I don't have sick days and I need to use my vacation days for the end of July, thats when the city run daycares go on there 2 week break. Is the city going to pay for my loss of income? It's mot all about the garbage.

June 30, 2009 at 7:53:37 PM
Annoyed with Ambulance Drivers!!!
This is for the paramedic who seems to want sympathy from everyone because his job involves of people being sick all over him and etc. This is your job. the reason why you are called is because people are ill.Granted I am sure you have to deal with the stupidness of some people but you chose your career. I lost all respect for paramedics (ambulance drivers) when my 89 year old mother had chest pain, and you got there, one of the medics saw she could walk and would not even get her on a stretcher.made her walk to the ambulance.Now you tell me you "NEED' more money or to bank your sick days..come on..Thank goodness for our Police and Fire response units maybe one day it will be like the States and we will have Fire/medics to clean up this messed up ambulance service that we have right now.

June 30, 2009 at 8:50:20 PM
Toronto
1) Open our pools, daycare, etc
2) Pick up our garbage.
3) Help the ill when in need.
It's your job, your career.You chose it.Some of us don't even get sick days..get over it!!

June 30, 2009 at 9:06:55 PM
Ana
Indoor workers, outdoor workers and paramedics should be addressed separately. While ones should be privatised, the others should be made essential. Miller should be fired for not dealing with this.

June 30, 2009 at 9:10:56 PM
Ana
Does the city has $120 million for the streetcars, millions to "study Gardiner", sponsor pride parade....? But the garbage guys, paramedics, indoor workers and day care providers should take the concessions? That's why they are on strike.

June 30, 2009 at 9:40:28 PM
Ana
Paramedics are not ambulance drivers. If you need a driver - call a taxi, not 911.

July 01, 2009 at 10:33:04 PM
Toronto
They are both essential. Garbage collectors and Paramedics. Take pride in what they do. Who suffers through both on strike?
I'll tell you...the citizens of Toronto!

July 01, 2009 at 10:34:59 PM
Citizen of Toronto
Paramedics are NOT Taxi
So treat your patient with respect not like crap!

July 01, 2009 at 11:24:32 PM
Ana
Paramedics and garbage collectors are NOT essential and both are on strike.

July 01, 2009 at 11:29:05 PM
Parent without a daycare
To all the parents that are stuck with the day care: just an idea, there might be more private day care providers as a lot of them on strike.

July 01, 2009 at 12:20:00 AM
Katherine Chong
I am not a union member yet I cannot work because of it. I work on Centre Island for the amusement park and I depend on the income there for my university fees. There is a significant number of students that have their jobs and income jeopardized by this strike and to be quite honest, most of us are quite grateful for our minimum wages rather than no pay at all.

July 01, 2009 at 9:57:16 AM
Minerva Fernandez
I am really upset by the strike. Most people in this city don't have even half of the benefits that city workers have, still they are asking for more. We are going through difficult economic times and they city workers should be thankful they have a job. There are a lot of people affected by the strike (I have a son in a city-run daycare and I have to stay home to babysit) and it seems to me that city workers just don’t care . There are a lot of unemployed people in this city; I would give then the possibility to do the jobs city worker don’t want to go back to, they will be very happy!!!

July 01, 2009 at 9:56:16 AM
Karen West
Preschool Specialist.

I refuse to go walk the picket lines because i do NOT agree with this strike. But if i do not picket, i do not get paid. I'm a summer camp councelor and unfortunatly the children are NEVER MENTIONED on the news. I have been watching the news religiously in hopes that this strike will be over. But all i hear about is garbage, and fire works which is going to create more garbage. I heard the kids mentioned once. This strike should have happened when children were in school so it would affect everyone a little less. What about the parents who signed their kids up for the whole summer? Where is my job when we finally end the strike and parents are too fed up and pull their kids out of camp all together. WE ARE IN A RESESSION PEOPLE. Sucking more money from the city when you already make 8X as much as anyone else is reduculous. Prices are going to go up higher and then people are going to want more money. BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE!!!!!

July 02, 2009 at 12:33:21 AM
John
Someone posted that city works are, or have been entitled to 18 days per year that can be carried over.

Who is the private sector gets almost 3 weeks of sick days to be carried over? I know I do not. And for that matter I have maybe been sick an average of 2-3 days a year at the most. Who needs 18 sick days a year? Maybe consider eating a healthier diet if you are getting sick 18 days a year. And if you are not getting sick 18 days a year then you want to carry those days forward to retire early? Boo hoo. I'm left to with my RRSP to fund my retirement. Workers should be lucky they have a job.

July 02, 2009 at 12:49:50 PM
Sally Gromer
I absolutely cannot believe the sense of entitlement that the city workers supporting the strike have. And all of this in the middle of an economic crisis! Unfortunately, those paying the biggest price are single mothers receiving daycare subsidy who are forced to stay home and consequently lose their income. Have any of you in support of this ridiculous, egotistical strike considered those below the poverty line, those who should be getting everyone's attention instead of you with your petty complaints and ignorant, self-righteous excuses?

July 02, 2009 at 10:57:33 AM
Andrew
I am a member of local 416 and I have been reading these comments saying things like lots of people are getting laid off and these are hard times. We are not selfish for going on strike and fighting for things like sick benefits, and seniority rights. These are the times when you need to fight for those rights. The City knows full well that they have the advantage of a poor economy on their side and public view of strikes is never good. But, the economy will not be bad forever,however if we give up those right now... we will never get them back.
I'm sure if you worked for a company that had those rights you would fight to keep them.

July 02, 2009 at 5:21:26 PM
Striker
As a member of Local 79, I cannot believe the hypocrisy written on this site.

Every one of you that wrote malicious and spiteful words against us, would do the exact same thing if you were in our shoes, but is it much easier for you to bash the union and write about greedy nasty City Workers.

What a bunch of Bull.

We are not asking for more, we are only asking for fairness.

July 02, 2009 at 9:54:07 PM
sepi
Honestly people need to stop trying to take advantage of the recession by making other people suffer... you want more money? work more HOURS like other people without unions....

July 02, 2009 at 10:06:46 PM
D`Angelo
And now the garbage strikers are getting worried because payday is fast approaching and no deal has been reached.

Good. I hope this strike goes on for another 10 months. The less money going to these garbage strikers, the better off the city would be. Should have thought about things before you decided to strike for losing 18 bankable sick days WHICH NO ONE IN THIS DAY AND AGE GETS.

July 03, 2009 at 5:11:28 AM
Andrew
Let's all do what the citizen of the city of Windsor doing right now keep Toronto clean ourselves and the city dont have to settle with these idiots they will eveentualy give up on the union and accepet what ever offer the city give them. If you watched cp24 last night one man say i got a morgage coming up i cant afford to strike anymore, another lady say that strike is hurting her bottom line finances at home lets keep itup toronto clean after ourself then they will be forced to go back to work on their own look at Windsor workers 12th week on strike and the city if 100% clean we dont need these idiots

July 03, 2009 at 8:50:23 AM
lisa
I think its time for a back to work order yes!!!! Or is David Miller happy they are on strike he's saving tons of money cause he's not payin anyone and on cancelling city sponsered events so who should we be pointing fingers at????

July 03, 2009 at 10:28:07 AM
Would be thankful for any job.
With all the people losing their jobs,,homes and everything else!,,you people have the nerve to complain about little problems. Seriously just go back to work and suck it up at least you have a job!!!I think if its that bad they all should be fired and hire the people that don't have jobs!!Stop Whining.!!

July 03, 2009 at 10:46:41 AM
Liviu, Toronto
First of all, I have to say that I am 100% for the right of strike and that I was against the "Back To Work" law for the TTC and York University strikes (of course nobody asked me!).
BUT, I consider that for jobs that may involve health or life threatening (like now garbage collectors, or EMS, Fire Dept. and so on), the srike should not be allowed.
There are many countries where there are such laws and all is OK.

July 03, 2009 at 2:25:56 PM
AF
I made a huge mistake thinking David Miller was worth voting for. How can he calmly sit there and let our city literally go to waste. Is David Miller and Dalton McGuinty waiting for the landscape of Toronto to become nothing more then black garbage bags covered with rats and maggots. WAKE UP YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING SOON...Not to mention the health hazard. In the wake of a pandemic you would think someone would realize how critical the situation.
WORK TO RULE NOW!

July 03, 2009 at 4:43:18 PM
not telling
im 11 but i am old enough to know that the strike is effecting every one in toront especially parent with there child in city camps and the recession is not helpig this so you city workers are ruining many of our summer vacations

July 03, 2009 at 6:30:38 PM
jk
The city went ahead with the order of the 204 new street cars. With this comittment without federal funding the City has no choice but to keep the strike going until they save the $240,000,000 in wages or concessions. Mr. Miller is selling out the people that supported him