TTC strike avoided after last minute deal reached with union

A last-minute deal between the TTC and the union representing almost 12,000 transit workers has been reached, avoiding a crippling shutdown of buses, streetcars and subways.

A last-minute deal between the TTC and the union representing almost 12,000 transit workers has been reached, avoiding a crippling shutdown of buses, streetcars and subways.

TTC service is running as normal in Toronto on Friday.

“I am extremely pleased that we’ve been able to reach a tentative framework settlement with ATU Local 113, and avoid any job action and service disruptions,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary.

“This is a fair deal that is affordable for the TTC and respectful of the important work the 11,500 members of ATU Local 113 do every day to keep our system safe and our service reliable.”

Leary said as the deal still needs to be ratified by union members, and approved by the TTC board, they would not be sharing details about the deal.

Meanwhile, ATU Local 113 said it was “pleased” to have reached a “framework settlement with the TTC that allows us to put the strike on hold.”

“We will continue to work through details and to arrive at a fair and reasonable contract that we can recommend to our members to ratify,” the union said. “Our demands have been reasonable. We asked the TTC for assurance on job security, for protections on contracting out our jobs, for improvement in benefits for active members and pensioners.”

Talks between the city and the Amalgamated Transit Union continued late into the night as the 12:01 a.m. deadline approached on Friday, with travellers and union members waiting to find out if the strike would come.