Statement by the TTC on collective bargaining

The TTC is committed to negotiating fair and affordable contracts with all of its unions, including with its largest ATU Local 113. To date, two contracts have been negotiated and ratified, one with the IAMAW Lodge 235 (machinists) and the other with CUPE Local 5089 (Transit Enforcement employees).

The TTC has applied to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation in an effort to reach a collective agreement with the ATU. A conciliator assists both parties in reaching a negotiated settlement. If a collective agreement is unable to be negotiated at the TTC, the matter will go to mediation-arbitration process.

TTC staff provided the union a comprehensive package of initial proposals on February 20 and had been meeting in advance of that date, and have met since, in an effort to reach a collective agreement. The TTC believes a conciliator can help the parties reach a negotiated agreement with Local 113 and remains committed to productive good faith bargaining.

The TTC negotiated contracts in 2014 with all of its unions, without arbitration. The TTC remains committed to doing the same in 2018.

Local 113 has told some media that “at issue… is the protection of pensions and benefits.”
 
The TTC, through collective bargaining, is not negotiating terms of the pension plan.
 
The pension plan is a jointly sponsored plan, which means that the pension plan board is comprised of an equal representation of TTC and Local 113. The pension plan is an entity managed separately from the TTC, and is in excellent financial health.
 
While the TTC has tabled proposals to contain benefits-related costs, it has not tabled any proposals to eliminate benefits that employees receive.

The TTC was declared an essential service in 2011, which means TTC workers cannot strike and the employer cannot lockout workers. Regardless of what happens with negotiations, transit service in Toronto will not face a labour disruption.