Toronto ratifies new agreement with union representing inside City workers

Toronto ratified a new four-year agreement with the union representing 27,000 of the City’s inside workers.

Earlier this month, CUPE Local 79 nearly went on strike at a time when students would be off school for March Break.

The union, which represents employees from public health, city hall operations, police dispatch, childcare and long-term care, demanded better wages. The two parties reached an agreement on March 8, which was ratified this past Saturday.

“Local 79 members have a critical role in keeping our City safe and healthy. This agreement recognizes their critical work while also providing value to Torontonians,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a release.

In the new agreement, the city said it agreed to boost wages from $1.60 to $1.65 per hour or 3.95 per cent depending on the member’s wage grade.

Then, from 2026 to 2028, all members will see a yearly wage increase of three to 3.9 per cent, the city says.

The city says it will also increase shift premiums and paramedical benefits, guarantee part-time recreation workers earn more than minimum wage, as well as offer a one-time market-based wage increase for nurse practitioners, paramedic call takers, family support workers, prosecutors, emergency medical dispatchers, law clerks and municipal standards officers.

“These gains are crucial in lifting the bottom up and ensuring fair pay for those who have been left behind. Notably, for the first time in the City’s history, we’ve eliminated minimum-wage jobs, ensuring all workers are paid above the provincial minimum wage,” Local 79 President Nas Yadollahi said in a statement to CTV News Toronto.

Long-term care home staff will also see more hours and shifts in each pay period, the city says.

“These investments will go a long way in increasing the quality of service that residents will receive. However, the fight is far from over,” Yadollahi said.

“Our work continues to ensure fairness and dignity and a positive working environment for all City employees and quality services for residents.”

The renewed agreement is valid until Dec. 31 2028.