October 8, 2008

The Toronto Transit Commission, today, received arbitrator Kevin Burkett’s decision on a binding three-year contract between the TTC and its unions, retroactive to April 1, 2008.

The settlement matches everything that was agreed to on April 20 this year, except for an additional $0.10 per hour increase for skilled trades workers. Wage increases will rise 3% in each year of the contract, which will expire on March 31, 2011. Benefit improvements and WSIB top-ups match what was agreed to, as well. The cost of the contract is estimated to be $164 million over the three-year life of the contract.

On April 20 of this year, the TTC and its unions agreed to a tentative contract, subject to ratification. On April 25, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 announced that the majority of voting members rejected the agreement. A legal strike was announced for midnight. On Sunday, April 27, the Ontario Legislature convened an emergency session and passed back-to-work legislation and announced both parties would be subject to binding arbitration. TTC service resumed by 5 p.m. April 27, ending the 1-½ day strike.

Since that time, the TTC met three times with Mr. Burkett, laying out its position with respect to affordability and other non-monetary issues. Mr. Burkett sought, and received, time extensions from both parties as he worked through the complex issues before him. The TTC looks forward to moving ahead now with aggressive and exciting transit projects for the people of Toronto.

The Toronto Transit Commission moves 460 million people every year – about 1.5 million riders every weekday. The TTC is the third largest public transit system in North America servicing some 4.5 million people in the Greater Toronto Area, with a network of subways, streetcars, buses, and a specialized service, Wheel-Trans, for people who require accessible transportation. TTC is committed to meeting the growing needs of the region with subway and light rail expansion, carrying an additional 175 million riders by 2021.