University of Toronto staff agree to tentative deal after strike vote
Staff represented by the United Steelworkers had voted 96 per cent in favour of strike action as students returned to class and workers complained about growing demands on them.
Administrative and technical staff at the University of Toronto are set to avoid a strike, after voting overwhelmingly in favor of it. The United Steelworkers Local 1998 represented the staff who voted 96% in favor of the strike action. John Ankenman, president of Local 1998, expressed concern about the heavy workload burden on members, as the university claims it will find $20 million in savings by not replacing employees who leave.
The university has yet to provide a significant response to the union's contract proposals aimed at increasing job security, which is the members' top non-monetary priority.
However, a tentative agreement was reached by the start of the week, pending approval from the 6,100 workers ready to strike. The United Steelworkers Local 1998 confirmed the deal to Global News, but stated that the dates for ratification have not been set. The University of Toronto also confirmed the agreement, praising both bargaining teams for their professionalism and hard work throughout negotiations. Kenneth Corts, VP of people, finance, and digital services at the university, expressed gratitude in a statement.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
