Toronto Hydro Local filed for conciliation

With negotiations on a new collective agreement stalled, The Society’s Toronto Hydro Local filed for conciliation on June 6.

Local Vice President Henry Quach hopes that bringing in a conciliator will help the parties reach a settlement without a work stoppage.

“Management is not budging in its demands to take away post-retirement benefits and strip down parental and family leave for new hires,” said Quach. “Toronto Hydro Local members are united in opposition to these concessions.”

With Toronto City Hall now looking into privatizing some or all of Toronto Hydro, Quach believes these concessions are really about making the utility’s books look better to Bay Street investors.

If conciliation is unsuccessful the Toronto Hydro Local could be in a legal strike-lockout position in mid-July.

The Local’s strike committee is making all necessary preparations while the Local’s leadership and Society staff roll out a public and member awareness and mobilization campaign. CUPE Local 1 has pledged its solidarity and in the event of a strike will ensure its members do not cross Society picket lines.

“The concessions management is demanding of us are coming to negotiating tables all across the sector if we don’t win this fight now,” said Quach. “We are a small local but we know all 8,000 Society members will be there for us in solidarity when we need them most.”