Concerns are mounting about possible disruptions to TTC service during the World Cup if a deal is not reached between the transit agency and the union representing about 700 workers who maintain the system.
Negotiations have been ongoing between the TTC and CUPE Local 2, which represents about 700 tradespeople who maintain the TTC’s electrical, signal, and communications systems.
On Saturday, the TTC will be in a legal lockout position, which mean the commission could prevent members of the union from doing their jobs.
“We want the city to know, we, as CUPE Local 2 members, are excited about the World Cup. We are ready to play our role in supporting the event and we don’t want any disruptions,” Sumit Guleria, the president of CUPE Local 2, told reporters on Thursday morning.
“That is not the goal of this union but if the TTC believes that by these lockouts, they can break the unity and resolve of these members, that would be a mistake.”
Here is what you need to know about the ongoing labour dispute.
How will a lockout or strike impact transit service?
Guleria said Thursday that without these workers, there is concern that trains and buses won’t run safely.
“Whether it is the electrical equipment at track level or the radio communication system that we support throughout the city, if there is an impact to this equipment, the trains and buses won’t run safely,” he said.
He pointed to repairs conducted after a 2024 electrical fire between Kipling and Islington stations.
“Thank god Local 2 members were there to restore and repair,” Guleria said. “If we were not there, that would be a huge problem for the commission. So, these events are unpredictable.”
TTC CEO Mandeep Lali has previously stated that the TTC has “robust contingency plans” in place in the event of a labour disruption and the transit agency is “committed to providing uninterrupted transit service during the World Cup.”
What are the sticking points in the contract negotiations?
At a news conference on Thursday morning, Guleria said the main issues continue to be around wages and scheduling.
“These members are simply asking for a reasonable deal,” he said.
“Our wage ask is no different than what has been offered recently to a peer municipal union.”
The TTC says the deal it put forward is “above inflation” and would be on top of the previous double-digit increase Local 2 received.
Lali said if the TTC were to accept the union’s proposal, it would have a $40 million impact on the TTC over three years, a figure Guleria disputes.
Can a deal be reached before the World Cup?
Guleria said he is still hopeful a deal can be reached in time.
“We want to emphasize, these members did not choose the contract to expire this year or for the event to occur. It just happened to be at the same time,” Guleria said, noting that “30 days in bargaining is a long time.”
Will the government intervene?
Speaking at an unrelated event on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford urged the two sides to “come to their senses” and get a deal done, telling them to “put the people and Toronto” ahead of the negotiations.
“I never take one side over the other. Let’s sit in the room, lock the door and they can come out with a deal. We have been going through this for decades and decades on many negotiations,” Ford said.
The premier sidestepped a question about whether he would consider ordering employees back to work in the event of a labour disruption.
“I agree with the premier that the parties need to lock ourselves in a room and get a deal done,” Guleria said Thursday.
“I know the premier is very supportive of trades workers. I’m sure the premier knows that this 100 per cent a trade union and the wages need to be competitive for tradespeople to be incentivized to be in the industry.”
