Toronto strike deadline passes, talks continue
A strike or lockout of Toronto's largest union remains on hold as the two sides continue to negotiate past a midnight deadline.
A work stoppage involving the city's 23,000 inside workers would affect Toronto arenas, pools, community centres and fitness centres.
CUPE Local 79 represents daycare workers, clerks, child care workers, nurses, janitors and community centre employees. The union's contract with the city expired on Dec. 31, 2011.
The city is negotiating with the union, whose members voted in favour of a strike mandate on Wednesday.
The union was in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, but the union said it would not strike if the deadline arrived without a new deal and negotiations were continuing.
In the event of a work stoppage, city sewer, water and emergency services, as well as the TTC, will continue to operate.
The union has accused the city of bargaining in bad faith and complained to the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
The city's library workers are already on strike. Job security appears to be the sticking point in both disputes.
