TTC STRIKE: back-to-work legislation passes

The legislature commenced at 1:30pm. The legislation being considered is called “Bill 66, Toronto Transit Service Resumption Act 2008.”

In McGuinty’s opening speech he said, “I ask that upon restoration of TTC services, users extend their usual courtesy to workers for the invaluable service they provide. Courtesy and goodwill are the foundations upon which we should all seek to build.”

This was also echoed by PC House Leader, and John Tory stand-in, Bob Runciman: “Please do not react badly to the people who work at the TTC. Their jobs are challenging and often dangerous. Don’t show those resentments. While some of that is well-deserved, it should be directed towards union leadership. I believe this leadership owe[s] an apology to citizens of Toronto.”

NDP leader Howard Hampton said, “There’s a recognition by the NDP that bargaining is at an impasse. We do not support back-to-work legislation without reservation. There is some language that causes us some concern such as the issue of essential service: it is separate and should be dealt with at another time. It’s added a whole new level of complexity to this issue. Let’s pick a time and place to have that debate, but not now.”

The bill passed unanimously at 2:00pm.

UPDATE at 4pm: The Globe and Mail posted an article with comments from TTC General Manager Gary Webster:

Mr. Webster blamed Friday’s walkout on what he said was false information that suggested management had plans to contract out more of the work done by its bus maintenance workers and to lay some of them off.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said. “There was clearly misinformation out there.”

He said the tentative deal made no change to the rules around contracting out maintenance work, and that the TTC had no plans to increase the amount it contracted out. He said management would be spreading this message at work sites and on its website to reassure its workers.

Clearly maintenance workers were told otherwise by their union officials — some of whom refused to sign the initial deal made last weekend — and then convinced many TTC drivers to vote with them and scupper the deal Friday. Mr. Webster shied away Sunday from blaming anyone for misconstruing the tentative agreement.

At the request of the Ministry of Labour, both sides participated in talks midday on Saturday to try to get the TTC back on the rails. While Mr. Webster said he expected the discussion to centre on the contracting out issue and a few others, the union executive came back to the table with an additional list of demands.

“It was a lengthy list. It was a very expensive list,” Mr. Webster said, adding that after 15-minute face-to-face meeting with union leader Bob Kinnear — at which the TTC refused to address the issues on the list — the union broke off talks.

UPDATE at 5pm: Buses were spotted leaving the Arrow Road Garage and going into service.

photo by Scott Snider