City workers begin work-to-rule campaign

Feb 22, 2016 | News

City run daycares are one of the services affected by work-to-rule.

City run daycares are one of the services affected by work-to-rule.

Cheyenne Lynch

Over 20,000 City of Toronto indoor workers today are protesting slow progress in negotiators for new contracts.

CUPE 79 president Tim Maguire said the work-to-rule campaign began just after midnight this morning.

This campaign means that workers will not do duties outside their job description.

Examples of that would be a community centre worker not shoveling a snowy sidewalk or trying to fix a broken photocopier.

Some services that may be affected by this campaign are city run childcare centres, community centers, ice rinks and pools.

“They want job stability, amongst other things,” said Richard Robibero, a writer with 365Etobicoke, a community-based website. “They also want a pay increase.”

Mayor John Tory expressed disappointment in Maguire actions and the work-to-rule campaign.

“Such an escalation will not assist the efforts being made by the City and the provincial conciliators to conclude a collective agreement,” said Tory in a statement released Sunday.

Tory added, however, that he has faith in the professionalism of city employees to continue to deliver the services that the city provides to its residents and businesses.

While a work-to-rule campaign is a potential route trade unions can take,

“Depending on the city services being used I would need to make other arrangements, like daycare for instance,” said Robibero

City of Toronto outside workers including garbage collectors and snow plow operators reached a tentative deal on Friday.

The contract between the city and CUPE 79 expired on Dec. 31, 2015.