Toronto appeared headed for another messy, smelly garbage strike like it had in 2002 as little progress was reported yesterday in talks to reach a deal before a midnight deadline.
Without new contracts, about 24,000 city workers in Toronto were ready to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. today.
Both sides said they wanted to avert job action, but Mark Ferguson, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 416, which represents outside workers, said he wasn’t hopeful as the two sides were far apart.
The outstanding issues for the outside workers included sick leave, seniority and recall rights in the event of layoffs.
Contracts for the two locals expired Dec. 31. A media blackout was lifted yesterday, but the city declined to discuss much.
