Update

T.O. lays out what's open and not if strike happens

Updated: Wed Jun. 17 2009 8:22:17 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

Top city officials have laid out what will happen if Toronto becomes embroiled in a labour dispute next week.

If the city's 6,000 outside workers go on strike after midnight on Sunday, garbage collection will be the first to go -- something Torontonians might remember from the 2002 strike.

The only place where home garbage, recycling and green-bin pickup will continue is in the former Etobicoke, where the service is contracted out. Yellow-bag collection won't be available there.

For everyone else, the city is asking people to store garbage and green-bin organic waste for the first five days. If the strike continues beyond five days, drop-off locations will be announced.

Some other tips:

• do not attempt to store green bin materials for the duration of the labour disruption - place them with your garbage
• store recyclables (can, bottles, paper and newspapers) and yard waste at home until regular collection resumes
• place garbage in securely tied, double plastic bags
• postpone garden trimming and pruning
• help the elderly and disabled
• don't throw garbage onto streets into laneways or parks
• don't leave litter or waste at litter bins

Apartment pickup for garbage, recycling, bulky items and green bins will continue in all parts of Toronto.

Two transfer stations will be open 24/7:

• Bermondsey - 188 Bermondsey Rd. (Eglinton Ave. E. and Victoria Park Ave. area)
• Ingram - 50 Ingram Dr (Keele St. & Eglinton Ave. W. area)

Five other transfer stations will be open 12 hours per day, seven days per week. They will accept residential and commercial garbage.

City manager Joe Pennachetti briefed the news media on the city's contingency plans on Wednesday afternoon.

He said the city believes a strike isn't necessary, "and as far as we are concerned, we are working towards a settlement."

However, Pat Daley of CUPE told CTV Toronto: "Yes, there's the possibility of a strike on Monday. Everyone's working hard at the table to try and avert a strike and reach a negotiated settlement, but we'll see what happens."

But there are serious outstanding issues:

• sick days: Union workers get 18 sick days per year, which they can bank and cash out at retirement, receiving up to six month's salary. The city says that's a $186-million unfunded liability.
• job security and seniority: Hiring less senior people for jobs in order to save salaries

"During a recession, demand for city services increases while the revenue to pay the cost of delivering these services is generally reduced," Pennachetti said. "Therefore, the cost of our wages and benefits need to reflect what is truly affordable, and we will continue working with the unions on this issue."

Local 416, which represents outside workers, has said a strike is a very real possibility. Local 79, which represents 18,000 inside workers, hasn't spoken about the likelihood of job action.

Some essential services won't be affected:

• TTC
• fire
• police
• long-term care

Parks will only be open for casual use. All recreation programming and city programming in community schools will be cancelled for the strike's duration.

The following will be closed or cancelled:

• all community centres and fitness centres
• all City-operated indoor/outdoor swimming pools, community centres, arenas and golf courses
• all greenhouses and conservatories
• outdoor wading pools
• all community centres and fitness centres
• all City-operated indoor/outdoor swimming pools, community centres, arenas and golf courses
• all greenhouses and conservatories
• all child care centres operated directly by Toronto Children's Services
• five library branches in facilities shared with city services
• daily monitoring of water quality at beaches. "Swim at own risk."
• routine inspection of public swimming pools
• outdoor wading pools

Some splash pads on timers may remain operational depending on maintenance and site conditions. All others will be closed.

Some arenas and community centres operated by the boards of management will be open.

City hall, Metro Hall, North York and Scarborough civic centres will have their access restricted. Nathan Phillips Square, Metro Square and other city squares will see their scheduled events cancelled.

If the strike happens and goes on long enough, events such as Caribana and the downtown jazz festival could be affected.

No planning applications ore related activity will be processed. Building permit applications won't be either received, processed or issued.

There will be no extension of parking tag payment deadlines during the strike.

Property tax bills have been issued and will be due on the dates indicated on the resident's tax bill.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney