Union has ‘basis for a deal’ in talks with Toronto

July 27, 2009, TORONTO – The “basis for a deal” is
in place for one of two union locals engaged in marathon talks aimed at ending
a 36-day strike by about 24,000 municipal workers in Toronto.

Mark Ferguson, the president of CUPE
Local 416 representing 6,200 outside workers, said the “basis for a deal” was
reached early today.

Ferguson added, however, that while
there is now a framework for a settlement in place, “this is not a signed deal
by any means.”

He said talks continue with CUPE
Local 79, which represents about 18,000 inside workers, and is hopeful an
agreement with that local is not far behind.

“We are hopeful that will occur
sometime today,” he said.

Ferguson said the agreement with his
local was made possible by the city taking the “last concession off the table.”
He did not indicate what that concession entailed.

“The deal that we reached we believe
to be a fair deal. There were compromises made in a number of different areas,
but it is a deal that we are proud of,” he said.

Ferguson had threatened to leave the
table at midnight unless a deal was in place to end the walkout, which began on
June 22.

That deadline passed with both sides
remaining at an east end Toronto hotel until the agreement was hammered out.

The strike has halted garbage pickup
and a host of city services, including city-run daycares, pools, parks and
recreation services.